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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

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CIHM/ICMH 
Microfiche 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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ues 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 


Coloured  covers/ 
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Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
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The 
tot 


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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
pofl 
oft 
fWn 


Orii 
beg 
the 
sioi 
oth 
firs 
sloi 
or  I 


The 
sha 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diff 
enti 
beg 
rlg^ 
raqi 
met 


v/ 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


Irregular  pagination  :   [1]  - 168, 159-200,  [1]  -  8  p. 


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Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

IPX  14X 18X ax 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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L'exemplaiitt  filmi  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6ro8it6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


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filmage. 


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or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
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la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  ~-^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


IVIaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
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Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6trs 
filmto  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  11  est  film6  A  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

JOURNAL 


OF     THE 


CONGRESS, 


FOR 


^775* 


[Price  Three  Shillings.] 


n 


V 


w>> 


:?;*?•:' 


liiid    55-iiT    ?3M" 


JO      U      R      N     A      L 


OF    THE 


PROCEEDINGS 


( '{ 


OF      THE 


CONG  R  E  S  S, 


HELD     AT 


PHILADELPHIA, 

M4Y  10,  1775. 

Publifhed  by  Order  of  the  CONGRESS. 


1 


;       / 


PHILADELPHIA:    Printed; 

LONDON:    Re-primed  for  J.  Almon,    oppofitc 
Burhngton-Houfe  in  Piccadilly,    1776. 


J 
s 

h 

J 

St 

a 


A    LIST 


Of      T  H  » 


DELEGATES 

» 

Who  attended  the  CONGRESS,  held 

at  Philadelphia^  May  lo,    1775. 

Ne^w-Hampjhire. 
Hon.  >.  Sullivan,  Efqj  |  John  Langdon,  Efq. 
Mafachujett's-Ba^\  ^ 

Hon.>./Z^w^ri,Efq;    John  Adami,  ECq; 
Hon.  r/.(p.  Cujhing,  Efq;     Rob,  Treat  Painl  Efqj 
Mx,  Samuel  Adams ^ 

.  Rhode-IJland. 

non.  Step.  Hopkins^  Efqj  |  Hon.  ^-/^/w.  ^^r^,  Efq, 

ConneSficut. 
Hon.   £//>^tf/^/  i)y,r,    I  Hon.^^r  5A.mj«  Efq 
^^^i  I  ^S/Vtf^  Deane,  Efqj 

NeW'Tork. 
PbtltpLavingJion.Eic^i      Henry  Wifner,  E(q'. 
James  Duane    ECq;  Philip  Schuyler,  Efq; 

John  fMEfq;  George  Clinton,  Efq; 

John  Jay,  Efq;  Xfie;;i  M?rr/i.  Efq] 


Simon  Boerum,  Efq; 
^/■///^/w  F/oyd,  Efq; 


NeW'Jerfey. 


Francis  Lewis,  Efq; 
■Rc^.  ii.  Living/Ion,  Efq; 


>^«  D'H/zr/,  Efq; 
Richard  Smith,  Efq; 


James  Kinfey,  Efq; 
«S/^/A^«  Cr^Wf',  Efq; 
^/w.  Livingjlon,  Efq; 

Pennfyhania. 

rWx  M#«.  Efq;         5.«/-.  Fraiklin,  Efq; 

John  Morton,  Efq;  |  y^;^,;  ^/^^^  Ef^. 

S  Lower 


I' 


^    r 


Ul\-  < 


A 


n 


(  2  ) 

Lofwer  Counties  on  Delaware. 
Hon.  Cafiur  Rodney y  Efq;  (  George  Read,  Efqj 
ThmasM'Keane,  Efq;     | 

Maryland. 


Hon.Maf.Tilgbman,  Efq ' 

7i&^.  yoSn/on,  jun.  Efq; 

l?o^.  Go/djhorougb,  jun. 

Efq; 


Hon .  P^;^/.  Rando/pb.Efiii 
Geo.  PFaJkington^  Efq; 
Patrick  Henry,  Efq; 
J?/Vi&.  £r^»ry  Z,^^,  Efq; 


Virginia. 


IVilliam  Paca,  Efqj 
Samuel  Chafe ^  Efqj 
7o/j«  //tf//,  Efq; 
Thomas  St  one ,  Efq; 


Edmund  Pendleton,  Efqj 
Bf»/.  HarrifoH,  Efq; 
Richard  Bland,  Efqj' 
no.  Jefferfon,-E(c^,' 


North-Carolina. 
William  Hooper,  Efq;       I  2?/V-6tfr^  Gj/W/,  Efqj 
Jofeph  Hewes,  Efq;  j 

South-Carolina, 


Hon.  7itf«rj^  Middleton, 

Efq; 
Thomas  Lynch,  Efq; 


Ci6r/j/?.  Gj^///^»,  Efqj 
John  Rut  ledge,  Efq; 
Edivard  Rutkdge,  Efqj 


P<wz)y6  o/'5/.  j^;&«'i,  /«  Georgia. 
Lyman  Mall,  Efq. 


t 


JOURNAL, 


JOURNAL, 

&c. 

WEDNESDAY,  May  io,  ,775. 

...  .  It 

A  Number  0/  £)cleg«es  from  ihe  Coloaiei  of 
New-Hamplhire,  MaffichufettVBay!  Con 
ncaicut.    New- York,  New-Ierfev    P,^r  <      ■ 
Delaware  Copnties,   M^K^lJ^fe 
Carol. „a  and  South-CaroIina/agrSe  tf^ht 

^??»  ^"i".  The  Hon.  P  E  Y  TON   R  A  N- 
4J  U 1.  h  H  was  unanimonny  chofen  Prefident 

Mr  ri,    .     4r  ^'■^''''ent  was  feated, 
Sec^ury'"'"  ^''""'■°"  ""  "--"oufly  chofen 

w^i" ''"  c..'^.'^'"'*  *"  '^'^o'in  Door-keeper   and 
William  Shfd,  Meffenger.  «eper,  and 

^^rW,  That  the  Rev.Mr.  Dach<  be  remif  0,rf 
to  open    the  Congress    wi.h    Prayers   to-Zrl^ 

iwr.  Bland,  be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr  Dachf 
and  acquaint  h  m  with  the  requeft  of  the  Coh^ref;" 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at .  i  o'clock/  ^ 

THURSDAY.  Mav  „,    ,„^, 
Agreeable  to  the  order  of  vefterda»    tl,<.  r-        _r 

ment.  preceded  to  bXel".     '° ""'"^  '"  "-^J""'"- 

^  «  The 


i 


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u, 


li  HI 


^^^Hi   '^« 

■■  fc 

Hii 

1 

^^^B'  H  'V 

mi 

^^^Inl^uii^iP^*' 

.(    4    ) 
The  Delegates  from  the  feveral  Colonies  pro- 
duced their  refpedlivc  credentials,  which  were  read 
and  approved,  as  follows  : 

New  Hampfhirc.  At  the  Convention  of  Depu- 
ties, appointed  by  the  feveral  towns  in  the  province 
aforefaid,  held  at  Exeter,  on  the  25th  day  of  Ja- 
nuary,  1775. 

The  Hon.  John  Wentworth,  Efq.  in  the  Chair. 
Fofe^,  That  John  Sullivan  and  John  Langdon, 
Efqrs.  be  delegated  to  reprefent  this  province  in  the 
Continental  Congrefs,  propofed  to  be  held  at  Phila- 
delphia, on  the  tenth  day  of  May  next,  and  that 
they  and  each  of  them,    in  the  abfence  of  the 
other,  have  full  and  ample  power,  in  behalf  of  this 
province,    to   confent  and  agree  to  all   meafures^ 
which  faid  Congrefs  fhall  deem  neceflary,  to  obtain 
redrefs  of  American  grievances. 
True  copy  attefledy    • 
MASHECK  WEARE,  Clerk  to  the  Convention. 

Province  of  the  MafTachufett's-Bay,  in  Provincial 
Congrefs y  Cambridge,  Dec,  5,  1774. 

Refolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  the  American 
Continental  Congrefs,  held  at  Philadelphia,  on  the 
5th  day  of  September  laft,  and  reported  by  the  ho- 
nourable Delegates  from  this  Colony,  have,  with 
the  deliberation  diie  to  their  high  importance,  been 
confidered  by  us,  and  the  American  Bill  of  Rights 
therein  contained,  appears  to  be  formed  with  the 
greateft  ability  and  judgment  i  to  be  founded  on  the 
immutable  laws  of  nature  and  reafon,  the  principles 
of  the  Englifli  conftitution,  and  refpedive  charters 
and  conftitutions  of  the  Colonies,  and  to  be  worthy 
of  their  moft  vigorous  fupport,    as  eflentially  nc- 
ce/Tary  to  liberty  J  likewife  the  ruinous  and  iniqui- 
tous meafures,  which  in  violation  of  thefc  rights, 

at 


(    5    ) 

at  prefent  convulfc  and  threaten  dcftru<5lion  t0 
America,  appear  to  be  clearly  pointed  out,  and  ju- 
dicious plans  adopted  for  defeating  them. 

Refohed,  That  the  mod  grateful  acknowledge- 
ments arc  due  to  the  truly  honourable  and  patriotic 
Members  of  the  Continental  Congrefs,  for  their 
wife  and  able  exertions  in  the  caufc  of  American 
Liberty  j  and  this  Congrefs  in  their  own  names,  and 
jn  behalf  of  this  Colony,  do  herebv,  with  the  ut- 
moft  fmcerity,  cxprefs  the  fame. 

Rejbhedy  That  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Hon. 
Thomas  Cufliing,  Efquires,  Mr.  Simuel  Adams, 
John  Adams,  and  Robert  Treat  Paine,  Efquires, 
or  any  three  of  them,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  apl 
pomtcd  and  authcrifed  to  reprcfent  this  Colony,  on 
the  I  oth  of  May  next,  or  fooner  if  neceflary,  at  the 
American  Congrefs,  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  with 
full   power,    with   the  Delegates  from  the  other 
American  Colonics,  to  concert,  agree  up')n,  dire^: 
and  order  fuch  further  meafures.  as  fliall  to  them 
appear  to  be  beft  calculated  for  the  recovery  and 
elbblifliment  of  American  rights  and  liberties,  and 
for  rcftoring  harmony  between  Great-Britain  and 
the  Colonies. 

A  true  copy  of  Recordy 

BENJAMIN  LINCOLN,  Secretary, 

In  Provincial  Congrefs,  Cambridge,  Feb.  6,  lyy^, 

Rcjohed,  That  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Hon 
Thomas  Cufhing,  Efquires,  Mr.  Samuel  Adams. 
John  Adams,  and  Robert  Treat  Paine,  Efquires 
appointed  by  the  laft  Provincial  Congrefs  to  repre- 
fcnt  this  Colony,  on  the  loth  of  May  next  or 
Jooner  if  neceflary,  at  the  American  Congrefs!  to 
be  held  at  Philadelphia,  be,  and  thev  are  hereby 
authonfed  and  impowered,  with  the  Delegates  frorn 

the 


/.: 


4  J 1! 


i!w 


(    6    ) 

the  mhcr  American  Colonies,  to  adjourn  from  time 
to  time,  and  place  io  place,  as  fhall  be  judged  ne- 
cellary  and  to  conrin'.e  in  bei.ig  ar.  Delegates,  fof 
this  Colony  until  the  31ft  day  of  December,  next 
^niuing,  and  no  longer. 

^  true  cGpy  of  Record,  , 

BENJAMIN  LINCOLN,  Secretary. 

Iff  tbeHoufe  of  Reprefihtathes  of  the  Colony  of  Con- 
nedicut,  November^,  A.  D,   lyy^. 

This  Houfe'  proceeded  to  nominate,   chufe  and 
appoiiu  Delegates,  to  attend  the  General  C6ni3;refs 
to  be  holden  at  Philadelphia  on  the  10th  day  o£ 
May  next,  and  made  rhoice  of  the  Hon.  Eliphalet 
IJyer,  Hon.  Roj^ef  Sherman,  Silas  Deane,  *  Titus 
Hofirier,  and  *  Jonathan  Slurgefs,  Efquires.  to  be 
their  Delegates,  any  three  of  whom  are  authorifed 
and  impowerea  to  attend  faid  Congrefs,  in  behalf  of 
this  colony,  to  join,   c-nfult  and  advifc  with  the 
Uelegafes  of  the  othf.r  Colonies  in  Britifli  America 
on  proper  meafur^^s  for  advancing  the  beft  good  of 
the  Colonics.  ° 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  Speaker, 
A  true  copy,  extraSled from  the  journals  of  the  Houfe 
Attefted,  KICHARD  LAW,  Clerk. 

At  a  provincial  Convention  formed  of  Deputies 
f;om  the  city  and  county  of  New-York.  the  city 
and  county  ot  Albany,  and  the  counties  of  Dutchefs 
Ulfter,  Orange,  Welkhelkr.  King's  and  SufFolk' 
held  at  the  City  of  New- York,  the  22d  of  April 
1775,  for  the  purpofe  of  appointing  Dele(>ates  to* 
reprefent  the  colony  of  New- York,    in  the  next 
Cont:nent3l  Congrels,  to  be  held  at  Pbilao.^lphia  on 
the  loLn  of  May  next,   Philip  Livingaon,  James 

Duane, 


'"v'-"»*;-vV:i'''-.-„-^" 


icr,       Lreorge  Clinton,    Lewis  Morri<:    *  i?^      • 

rmne  upon  fuch  meafur.s  a,  ftall  b^  l"edt^ft 
effeflual  for  the  prefervation  and  re  eoJhV.f^  I 

%w^,    Leonard    Lupcnard.    Jikac    R^^S^f" 

.hort:hitt;ftaeStu:^^^^^^^^ 

requeft  we  a..e.d.d  ,hrCo„;«ro7'fcnifr''°'' 

aflemto  andapprobtion  ofthe7b,7bfe|,r 
%W,  John  Fulman.  Zcbulon  ^1^  t    V 

N£W.jERSEv./„  4^.»%Per.h-Amboy;r«wa»  ' 
January  24,  1775.  •'        ■''*'•'• 

^efihej  unam'mmSy,  Thit    I-im.c  it-  /• 

RICHAR^SlTA,:?,?^-*   , 

Penn- 


I/; 


y,i 


(    8    ) 

Pennsylvania.  InAfembly,  December  i^,  1774, 

A,  M, 

Upon  Motion,  Refohed,  N.  C.  D.  That  the  ho- 
nourable Edward  Biddle,  John  Dickinfon,  Thomas 
Mifflin,   Charles  Humphreys,  John  Morton,  and 
George  Rofs,  Efquires,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed  Deputies  on  the  Part  of  this  Province,  to 
attend  the  general  Congrefs,  propofed  to  be  held  at 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  tenth  day  of  May 
next,  and  that  they  or  any  four  of  them  do  meet 
thefaid  Congrefs  accordingly,  unlefs  the  prefcnt 
grievances  of  the  American  Colonies  (hall  before 
that  time  be  rcdrcfled. 

ExtraSifrom  the  Journals, 
CHARLES  MOORE,  Clerk  of  the  Jjfembly,  . 

In4lfembly,May6,ijys*'^-M' 

,  Refoked,  N.  C.  D.  That  Benjamin  Franklin, 
hon.  Thomas  Willing,  and  James  Wilfon,  Efquires, 
be,  and  they  are  hereby  added  to  the  Deputies  ap- 
pointed by  this  Houfe,  to  attend  the  Continental 
Congrefs,  cxpedtcd  to  meet  the  tenth  inftant  in  this 
city. 

ExtraSlfrom  the  Journals, 
CHARLES  MOORE,  Clerk  of  the  Affemhly. 

Lower  Counties  on  Delaware.    In  AJf:mbly^ 
Thurfday,  March  16,  1775,  A,  M. 

On  motion,  Refohed,  N.  C.  D.    That  the  Hon. 
Ciefar  Rodney,  Thomas  M'Kcan,  and  George  Read,  • 
Efqrs.  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  and  au- 
thorized to  rq>refent  this  government  at  the  Ame- 
rican Congrefs,  propofed  to  be  held  at  the  city  of 

Phila- 


Philadclphm,  on  the  tenth  day  of  Mav  n^  «.  . 
any  other  time  or  place,  with  fiill  powTr  m  rfil  '' 
any  two  of  them,  together  with  the  St^.f  °' 
the  other  American  CoIonieT  to  con^^^^^^^  ^"'"^ 
upon  fuch  further  meafures  L  (h  ^?  **"^  ^^ree 

^appy  differences  between  Great  Britain  Za  I 

DAVID  THOMPSON. C/..,^;JS^.,, 

Maryland,  it  the  citv  of  a!^^1  i-  ?'  ?">""«  of 
on  the  8th'  Deo^^bef  .,1  P"]"*  ''y.«^J«»«n«nt 
»th  day  of  tKe3:  ""'  "«'"«1  ««•  «h« 

Congtefsfl>a..dernere4:^t^^J,t''i-h 
a  redrefs  of  American  erievances  ,!!.  ►v^'*'" 
"nee  bind  themfelves  to  execu^tn  fl?  .'"'  J?'""" 
Aeir  power,  all  Refok.  onTwhW.  rte  fiiHT""  °/ 

Dc.g,estorVefc:rL^t^St 

any 


*(i!i 


M  ': 


t  >  ) 

any  one-GoiTgfc^,  to  fee  held  by  virtnc  of  Aich  atfi 
journrr  i£.  /  ^  yt»« 

Signed  by  orders 


••f(f 


,dt  ,aJpI|N  DUCKET,  qcxj^. 


•*t  >'•*-♦»^^^' 


Vift6it«!A.  At  a  Cdnventiort  bf  DdegatiFi^^ 
the  couritKstnd  torporations  in  tfiie  colony  of  Vifi 
|inia,  at  the  town  of  Richmond^  in  the  cotinty  qf 
Henrico,  ttiMotoday  the  2othof  Mfit*,  1775.    :* 

The  Convention  proceeded  to  the  cledron  of  De- 
legates ty  ballot,  to  reprefent  this  colony  in  General 
Congftefe,  to  be  held  at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on 
the  tenth  day  of  May  next,  when  the  hon.  Peyton 
Kanddfib,  George  Waihirigtbti,  *  Patrick  Henry, 
flichard  Henry  Lee,  Edmund  Pchdleton,  Bcnjaifiitt 
HarnfORi  and  JlichAfd  BJafedi  Efqts,  Were  choleh  f^f 
ttiat  i)ur|>o(c,  r  ar 

T^««  WJ^^  RAf^bbLPH;  Prefidcnt. 
IQHN  TAZBWELLj  plcrlt  of  the  G^vcnti6n, 

NQjiTH^CARdiiHA.  At  a  gcneril  meeting  of 
Pelegatss  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  protineej  frf 
Convention*  at  Kcwberh,  the  jthrday  of  AprilJ' 

Pr^fcnt,  the  hon.  John  Harvey,  Efo)  Moderatorl^' 
and  6S  (nimbers.  ,,j 

On  motion,  12</&W,  That  WilHam  Hooper,  jo-, 
fephHcwc8.andRjcbardCafweU,  Efqrs.  be,  an4; 
arc  hereby  appointed  Delegates  to  attend  the  Gene- 
ral Congrefs,  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  tenth 
^^yolMkyjicxtr  or  at  any  other  time  and  placc^^ 
tft^t  ^ail  be  appointed  fpr  |hat  purpoKe,and  they  are; 

^  hereby 


.  (  ^t   ) 

herehy  invefted  ipirith  fijch  powers  m  in«  make  anar 

JO  behalf  afthi.  province  mgHo^,^S^ 
upon  every  inhabitant  thereof.  1  .'^T^* 

jOHNHARV£Y;iliagfe^^;;V 
-rf//5/?f^  4y  AjNDR^W  KNOX.  CUrk 

la  tie  Jffimblj  ■jtb  of  April,  irWl"  "• 
M'^^'ix  That  the  Houft  do  bigMy  .nMovi  „f 
the  proceedings  or  the  Contme»tal^^ffljif 

as  members  of  the  commun  ty  in  ireueraJ  thaT  >i^ 

Bfc.what  lofluence  t|iey  have,  to  induct  thc^fime 
Pljft^vanc^m  every  individual  of  this  pro^iSr 
Th,s  Hoofe  having  received  k&nwtiiii,  tli^ 

rM'^JL?"'.;**"'  ^pointed  by  the  Convention 
he  d  a,  I?ewbe(n.  a,  ^elegatts  to 'attend  t£^S  ' 

ud$it '  "'^'* '^°"«''^' '■'^  ^?  **^^''^"^ 

^a^i^a:&nJ*2&«"^'^'^'"*^ 

T        .   :  JAMES, O^E|^,^^£^^, 

Sou^H-CARoimA.  /«  tycmmms  Hmfi  ^M. 
»- Jtmbl,,Fri4aj  idofPeiruarj.  t'ifi^^ 

ci^MZ^^^^*^?"^"^'  «*•  at  the 
wy  of  Philadelphia  m  SeptemberTaft  iimonrilothtt' 
fhinss  recommended  m  i}«,  f,..™!  r>Ui-_' ■. ,?  vi"^r 


0 


?* 


I  ..  t 


.t 


In 


h 


{  r^  ) 
Deputies  at  the  Congrefe,.  da  hereby  nominate  and 
appoint  the  Hon.  H.  Middlcion,  Tho.  Lynch,  Chr. 
Gadfdeifiujohn  Rutledg(r,«nd  Ed.  Rutledgc,  Efqrs. 
Deputies  for  and  in  behalf  of  this  Colony,  to  meet 
the  Deputies  appointed,  or  to  be  appointed,  on  the 

firt  and  behalf  of  the  other  Colonies,  at  the  city  of 
hiladelphia,  or  any  other  place,  that  (ball  be  agreed 
on  by  the  faid  Deputies  in  General  Congrefs,  with 
full  power  and  authority  to  concert,  agree  to  and  ef- 
^<^^My  profecute  fuch  meafurcs,  as  in  the  opinion 
of  tile  laid  Deputies  and  the  Deputies  to  be  affem- 
bled,  ihall  be  moft  likely  to  obtain  a  redrcfs  of 
AmScncan  grievances. 

RefoheJ,  That  the  Deputies  hereby  appointed, 
oii^the  part  and  behalf  of  this  colony,  are  auihorifed 
and  etnpowered  to  agree,  that  the  Continental  Con- 

^^^^  »^l  ^^^^  **  ^"5"  ^"^"^^  *'"'«»  2n«J  at  fuch  place 
as  fhall  be  agreed  on,  and  to  adjourn  from  tiine  to 
time  ;  provided  it  db  not  exceed  nine  months  from 
mf  «c  pf  their  meeting  in  May  next. 
-If.    ^^ -jiueJed^TiiOMAS  FARR,  jun.  C/^r/f. 

EMioB-jrofn  the  Jmrnah  of  the  Provincial  Con- 

greJsofSqvrH^CAROLiiJA,/>u6Ayheii6y  order  of 
the  Congrefs,  iith  of  January,  lyj^^  ■ 

'  mived^That  the  hon.  Henry  Middlcton,  Efq: 
Thomas  Lynch,  Chriftopher  Gadfden,  Jdhn  Rut- 
ledge  aod^EdNVard  Ruflcdge,  Efqrs.  or  aay  three 
Ot  them,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  ai\d  au- 
thorifed  to  rWent  this  Colony,  on  the  tenth  day 
of  May  next,  or  fooncr.  if  neccflary,  at  the  American 
Vpngr«[f/  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia  or  clibwhere. 
with  fell  power  to  concert,  agree  upon,  diredt  and 
order  fuch  further  meafures,  as  in  the  opinion  ^thc 
faid;  Deputies,  and  the  Delegates  of  the  other  Ame- 
rican OJonies,  to  be  aflcmblcd,  fhall  appear  to  be 


I) 


necefiryAr  the  recovery  and  eftaWifliment  of 

AmM,c.nJt.ghtS  attd  Liberties/and  fo    XinJ 

harmony  between  Great-Britain  and  i,er  CoE^ 

Upon  Wotiofl,  RrfcM.  That  the  thanks  of  le 

fcrming  Divine  Service  agreeable  to  the  defirinf 
the  Congrefs,  and  for  his%iccellent  prayer  fowl 
adapted  to  the  prefent  occafioB  y="o  •wet^ 

^Ordered  That  Mr.  Bland.  Mr.  Willing,  and  Mr 
Suthvan.  be  a  committee  to  «rait  upon  Mr  Doche'" 
«nd  return  the  thanks  of  the  ConKrefs  Z'JrltV 
the  above  Refolotion.        ?  «      ^  *"'  »gf«ableto 

Upon  motion.  .R,>/w^,  That  the  doors  be  keoi 
ftut  dnnng  the  time  of  bnfmcft,  and  that  the  mem! 
bers  confider  themfelves  under  the  flror..eToblS 
t.ons  of  honour  tb  keep  the  proceedings  fee  etl' 

*J«  "'i-'|y  mall  difea  .hL  to  be'^Srp'ab ,"' 

ma^k^ita  "  •''  ■"■"'"'^  ^""<^^''  »"p"ho?i 
A  circular  letter  from  the  Agents  WilKa^,  u  i 
Ian.  Benjaa^n  Fntnklin.  and  Arthur  L   '   e£" 
direftid  to  the  Speakers  of  fever.]  Affemblles  Td 
fundry  papers  therein  referred  to   werel.^  K,f 
the  Congrefs  and  read ,  the  lette/  ifas  foCf " 

SiK.  London.  Feb.^,  lyy^, 

^-^HJ^k"^"  ''""''"'°'''"«'  )P0.  that  the  King  had 
declared  his  intentions  of  laying  the  P«itinn  C? 

his  two  Houfes  of  ParliamenT.^  It  h«  rccor^^'' 

been  laid  before  each  Hoafe    bu   u„d  Ceu2  J 

J.nc«|^a  variety  of  letters  and  other  p^^S 

A  motion  made  by  Lord  Chatham  to  withdraw 
the  troops  from  Bofton,  as  the  firft  ftcp  tewardsT 
conciliating  plan,  was  reie<fted  •  and  th^Ztl-a 
i-ave  decl,r.d  in  both  HoVe.  tJietteJlS'*;^ 

enforce 


u  ■( 


•■]  ! 


V. 


Enforce  obeclicnce  to  all  ihc  ^t^  l^m.  Fof.tlji^ 
purpofe  wc  un^eiftaqd  that  thjr^  rt^^ii^^^  o^fook, 
One  of  dragoofi*,  fcycn  hundred  mwinw^  fix  jjkoM 
of  war,  and  two  friga^s,  arpi^o'^  undprptders.Sr 


irr^a. 


W«  think  it  proppr  to  lofQrjp  you  tha^t  your  cajy^e 
Hiras  well  defended  $y  a  conildQrable  oumlTer  of  jgooa 
and  wife  nnnin  both  Houfes  of  P^liament^  ^^iWK^ 
far  from  bciitg  a  majority :  Anl-t^  many  pf^e 
comn^rcial  and  manufa^oring  Mfi  of  t^e  nation^ 
concerned  in  the  American  tra^e^  .have  prefented^ 
or  as  we  underftand,  are  prepajrinif  to  prei^nc  pq<* 
titions  to  parliament  declaring  tbeir  ^rc;at  cioiv^rn 
for  the  prefcnt  unhappy  controverfics  with,\Anieri- 
ca,  arid  praying  exprcfsly,  or  in  ejfFca:,  for^^l^ 
mcafures,  as  the  proper  mc^uis  of  preferring  their 
comiiierce  npw  greatly  fufiering  or  endiangert^d.  But 
the  treatment  the  petitions  already  prefented  lisLve 
hitherto  received  is  fuch,  as,  in  our  opinion,  can 
afford  you  np  rcli^jce  <m  thep^e^t  rc^^^^cwgh 
their  mejins»  V        .  •  ,  / 

As  fopn  ^9yvQ  learnt  that  tbp  Petiliqn  of  the 
CppgWs  was  befpcc  the  Hp^fe  pf.  Commons^  wc 
thought  4t  our  duty.  ^  fupport  it,  if  wc  migi^tbe 
permitted  fo  to  do,  as  there  was  lio  other  opportu- 
nity for  thej^^operpu^  inliabitants  of  the  CoJoQles  to 
be  heard  in  defence  of  their  rights :  Accordindy  we 
joined  in  a  petition  for  that  purpofe.  SiirG^cplgc 
Savilte  kindly  nridertook  to  pfefent  it.  B^t  dn  pi-e- 
vjoufly  opening  the  purport  of  it,  as  tljc  dfder  H, 
ft  debate  iarofc  6n  the  pi'opricty  of  receiving  it, '  and 
oh'^^iviiion  it  was  rcjeftcd  by  a  great  majority. 

The  following  extract  o(  ajctfer  from  Oeneral 
Gage  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  as  laid  ?)efore  Pariiaraentj, 
we  think  it  our  duty  to  tranfmit.  Viz.  * 

**  Dec.  1 5,  1774^     Yoar  Liorcjfhip's  idcfa'dftiif^ 

arming 


<  'i  ) 

»jntog:eef6in  pmitleti  Would  doubtkfl  be  cm^ 

nor  has  been  pratbcable.  withoat  having  recoufft 
to  force,  and  being  maften  of  the  count™  " 

btr  of  adminiftrauon.  that  it  Would  be  proper  to 
alter  the  charters  of  ConneSicut  and  Rhode-lknd 
.^Ififcd  Wfi  fend  jrw  .copy  of  the  Rthhti^ 
»«ff^  in  aowowiwof  the  whole  houfe  on  Th»^ 
day  laft  which  are  to  be  reported  on  Monday  It 
J«  faid  that  there  Refolutiooi  are  to  be  tbeZnda- 
io« of  ^TiS"" ^'k'^  broug),iCb„T^;t: 

,  We  fcpd  you  ife,vife  a  copy  p?  lord  Chatham'. 
M  motion  jn  ihe  Houfc  of  Urd%  and  of  hi,^ 
of  a  bilj  for  fctUiog  the.trouUes  between  Great-fi?  ' 

.  Witii  great  rcfpcft  we  are,  Sir,    .         '  "f 

•  ■  'tP!P*"/*%^"'«>'n  the  foregoinc  letter  !»- 
jngpubhflied  n  thenews-Dawr.  i?^^ '  V** 
^pertithem..    -     "^"^^  P»P*"'  «  «  not  necefliry 

Mr.  Hancock  jaH  before  t^ii'^^'  '  r''"'?*''^ 

fW^eP,ovinciJTo„gSofSc^:'.ttB'* 
together  with  certain  fefolutlons  fo^fd  by  fil* 

?^    •  ?  u^'"  ^S^'  '"  EngUnd.  and  an  addr^?:' 
the  inbabitants  of  Great-Britain, .  on  *he  laletn 
gagewent  between  the  troop's  under  Generilr 
md  ihe  inhabitants  of  Malichafett's  &y  f'alfo^: 

number 


W    li 


V 


(     'M 

number  of  dci^ofitiona  duly  aM^ftcd,  rcktit e  to  ih« 
f:oramcnccmcnljof.faid  hoaHifift,  aH  which  imm 
read,  and  are  si  follows  :     di^ziiu^:  -    . 


.-iioi: 


.   yn  Provincial Congrefs,  Watertown,  May  3^  . 

To  the  Honourable  American  Continental  Con- 
grife,  to  be  convened  at  Philadelphia,  on  th« 
tenth  of  May,  inftant.  • 

MayitpleareyourHonourirl[;V     ■     * 
THE  Congrefs  of  this  Colony,  impreflcd  with 
the  deepeft  concern  for  their  Country  under  the  prc- 
fent  critical  and  alarming  ftatc  of  its  public  affairs 
beg^4eave  with  the  utmoft  fabmiffion,  whilft  a^ing 
m  fupport  of  theCaufc  of  America,  to  requeft  the 
dircaion  andaffiftance  of  your  refpedablc  affcmbly. 
i'  The  ioclofcd  packet  containing  the  copies  of  de- 
pofitions,  which  we  have  difpatched  for  London, 
alio  an  addrcfs  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Great- Britain,' 
and  a  letter  to  our  colony  Agent,  Benjamin  Fraiik- 
Im,  Efq;  are  humbly  fubmitted  to  your  confide^ 
ration^. 

The  fanguinary  zeal  of  the  minifterial  army,  to 
ruindnd  dcftroy  the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  in 
the  opink>n  of  this  Congrefs,  hath  rendered  the  efta- 
blifhment  of  an  army  indifpenfibly,  ncccffary :  we 
have  accordingly  paffed  an  unanimous  refolvc  for 
thirteen  thoufand  fix  hundred  men  to  be  forthwith 
raifed  by  this  Colony,  and  propofals  are  made  by 
us  to  the  Congrefs  of  New-Ham  pfliirc,  and  go- 
vernments of  Rhode-Ifland  and  Connedticut  Co- 
lonies,   for   furni(hing    men    in    the    iamc   pro- 
portion. 

They 


'  (    «7    > 

i  T*!?  .u'^'^^'y?.!?*"''^  of  our  puHic  affairs  pre- 
cluded the  poffibiHty  of  waiting  for  yaurdirc^oa 
in  thcfe  important  ms»fijrcs,  more  cfpccially  as  a 
confidcrabJe  reinforcement  from  Great-Britain  is 

reduced  to  the  ikd  alternative  of  defendini?  our- 
felvcs  by  arms,  or  fubmitted  to  be  flau^htcfeA     - 
•  With  the  grcateft  deference,  we  bet  leave  to^ 
lugge jt,  that  a  powerful  army,  oir  the  fide  of 
America,  hath  been  confidered  by  this  CongrtSs 
a*  the  only  means  left  to  ftem  the  rapid  pr^rei 
of  a  tyrannical  miniftr^.     Without  a^cfope- 
nor  to  our  enemies,  we  muft  reafon ably  expert  ^a. 
become  the  via,ms  of  their  relentlefs  fury.^ifth 
fucha  force,  we  may  ftiU  have  hopes  of  feeingan 
immediate  end  put  to  the  inhuman  nayaws  of 
mercenary  troops  in  America,  and  the  .^ickcd,^ 
authors  of  our  miferies  brought  to  condign  pu^. 

mfhcnent,  by  the.juft  indign«ionx)f  our  jJethrcn. 
in  Great-Britain.  4*,*^% 

We  hope  that  this  Colony  win,4t  all' times,  be 
ready  to  fpend  and  to  he  fpent  in  the  caufe  of 
America.  It  is,  nevcrthclefs.  a  misfor^uae  great- 
ly operating  to  its  difadvantage,  that  it  has  /gr^t 
nuniber  of  fea-port  towns  cxpofcd  to  tkc  approacli 
of  the  enemy  by  fca;  from  many  of  which,  the 
inhabitants  have  removed  and  are  removing  their" 
families  and  cfFeas,  to  avoidh  deftruaion  from 
fliips  of  war.  Thefc  We  apprehend,  will  be  ge- 
nerally  diftrefllid  from  want.6f  fubfiftance.  and, 

torces  of  the  Colony;  but  we  have  thd  greatcft 
confidence  m  the  wildom  and  ability  of  the  Con- 
tinent to  fupport  us,  fa  far  as  it  ihall  appear  n^< 
ceflary  for  fupporting  the  common  caufe  of  the 
American  Colonies. 

^  We  alfo  inclofe  feveral  refolves  fbr  impowcring' 

*^  and 


.)v| 


/'- 


1: 


(    .8    ) 

-and  direAing  our  receiver-general  to  borrow  the 
fum  of  one  hundred  thoufand  pounds,  lawful' 
money,  and  to  ilTue  his  notei  for  the  fame,  it  being 
the  only  meafures  which  we  could  have  recourlc 
to  for  lupporting  our  forces  j  and  we  requeft  your 
•ffiftance  in  rendering  our  meafures  efFeftual,  by 
giving  our  notes  a  currency  through  the  Continent. 
JOSEPH  WARREN.  Prefident,  P.  T. 
The  papers  inclofed  and  referred  to  in  the 
above,  are  as  follows  :     '  . 

JnProvinciaJCongrefi,WATEKTowu,May2,i77S. 

RefoheJ,  That  the  Receiver-General  be,  and 
hereby  is  impowered  and  diredted,  to  borrow  the 
fum  of  one  hundred  thoufand  pounds,  lawful 
money,  and  iflue  colony  fecurity  for  the  fame, 
payable  with  annual  intercft  at  fix  per  cent.  June 
ift,  1777»  *"<*  ^^^^  tJ»e  Continental  Congrefs  be 
defired  to  recommend  to  the  feveral  Colonies,  to 
give  a  currency  to  fuch  fecgrities. 

A  true  extraSffrom  the  Minutes, 
SAMUEL  FREEMAN,  Secretary,  P.  T. 
In  PrevineiaiCongrefijWAT^RTowti,May  3 ,  i  yy^, 

P^olved,  That  the  fecurities  given  by  the  Rc^ 
ceiver-»General,  for  the  monies  borrowed  by  him, 
in  purfuance  of  the  aforegoing  rcfolvc,  be  in  the 
form  following,  viz* 

Colony  oj  the  Massachusett's-Bay, 

No.       the        day  of  A.D.ijy     bor, 

rowed  and  reccivrd  of  A:  B.  the  fum  of 
lawful  money,  for  the  ufe  and  fervice  of  the  colony 
of  the  Maffachufett's-Bay,  and  in  behalf  of  faid  ra 
lony.    I  do  hereby  promife  and  oblige  niyfelf  ar?^ 
fucceflbrs,  in  the  office  of  Treafufcr  or  Rccei  a-* 
General,  to  repay  to  the  faid  or  to  his  order, 

the  firft  day  of  June,   1777,  theaforefaid  lum  of 
lavvful  money,  in  Spanifh  milled   Dollars,  at 
fijf  flijlULlc  v^ch,  6r  in  (he  feveral  Ipccies  of  coined 

filvcf 


(   19  ) 

filvtfr  and  gold.  enumcr«ed  in  an  A^  made  and 
paflcd  m  the  23d  vcar  of  his  late  Majefty  Kin^ 
Ocofge  the  SeconcT,  intitled,  "  An  AdtroraS 

gold,  Eoghfh  half-pence  and  farthings,  may 

1  fK     "^"^^C  '^j'  governm.nt,"  and  according 

to  the  ratci  thcrem  mentioned,  with  intcreft,  to 

be  paid  annually  at  fix  per  cent.  Witnefj  my  hand, 

F.  F.i         ..    . 
And  whereas  inconveniences  may  arifc  By  th« 
fefbre?'""'^''  '^"^"^  "*'"  ^°'  finalllTums! 

i^.>/W,  That  the  Rcceiver.General  be,  and 
he  hereby  ,s  diredted  not  to  ifliie  any  notes  for  « 
Ita  fum  than  four  pounds  lawful  money.  * 

r.  J^^^l^  FREEMAN,  Sec.P.r. 
10  the  Hon,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Efq. 
f  n      .  at  London. .  -c.  . 

^''fJ'f'^JCongreft.  Watcrtown,  ^JnT  26, 1775. 

f,>'lf\°"^**^''  f" J™  confidence  we  repofein  youf 
faithfulneft  and  abilities,  we  confider  it  the  hap- 
pmefs  of  this  Colony,  that  the  important  tnift^ 

Revolved  on  your  hands,  and  we  doubt  not  your 

k  nd  will  make  every  poffible  exertipn  in  our  be- 
J>a  f  a^plcfoe  tojou.  although  our  circumftances 

'U  compel  us  often  to  interrupt  your  repofe  by 
matters  that.wiU  furely  give  yo^  f4i„.  7f  ngu- 
U^  mftance  hereof  is  the  occafion  of  the  preLt 
letter.  The  contents  of  this  packet  will  be  our 
"pology  for  troubling  you  with  it. 

•'  From  thefe  you  wHl  fee  how  aqd  by  whom. 


11 


1^ 


<     »0     ) 
frc  art  «tl^ft  ipking«d  into  the  hoitOrsdf  a  mdft 

•*  Our.^li|ftir*i<J6,.w4  itfris  toW,  Bavc- difpatehi^d 
to  Gmt^Brkaiii .  ai^fehwgious  account  ,of  the  tra- 
gedy th^;2lRvii  bcg*m,j  to  prevent  the  operaticn 
^ifrhich  tdLftfee  ^?ttWic  iojuiy,  Wc  have  engaged 
the >felicltii^ ♦conveys  tliis  to  you,  as  a  Pac'iet  m 
the  itrvice  of  this  Colo^>  fjnd  We  requeft  your 
?ffiftancein  Supplying  Capt.Deihy,  who  com- 
mands her,  with  fuch  neccfTadesids  he  ihall  want, 
on  the  credit  of  your  conftituents  in  Maflachu- 

""feutiiicisioft  ardently  tvjih  that  the  fevcral 
papers  herewith    inclofed  may  be  immediately 
prmted  ahddiflSfcWedthioUgh  every  tbwn  in  Eng"- 
land,  .^tm  cfpecia%  fCjommuhicated  to  the  Lord?- 
Mayor,  Aidermco  tadOjuncil  of  the  city  of  Lon^ 
don,  that  they  mf^y-taSte  fuch  Older  thereon  as 
they  ruHy  thipk  proper*    And  We;  lafe  confident 
yo!tr;Adclity  wtil  wTtfcc  fncJi  improvcttieni  of  them, 
as  ihall  convince  all-wfeo  4rc  not  determined  to  be 
jn^oiqdtflwfg  l^ltndiKjfs,  that  it  is  the  united  efv 
forts  of  both  Englands  that  can  fave,  either.'    But 
that  iJi^i^ever  price  our  brethren  in  the  orte  may 
be  jileafed  to  ptiton  their  coriftftutional  Liberties, 
ive  !ar»  authorized  to  aflure  .you,  that  the  inhabi- 
tantsie^^heother^.f  with  "the  greateft  unanimity, 
are  inflexibly  refolted  to  icU  their^s  only  at  th» 
price  6f  their  lives. 

S^oed  by  order  of  the  ProvinmlCtt/tgrefs,. 
;.'    JOSEPH  WARREN,  Fr.^f«/,  P.  r. 
^  true  copy  from  the  original  Minutes,       m 
.        .        SAMUEL  FREEMAN,  Sec,  P.T. 
The  Bcpofitions  relative  to  the  eolnmencemcrit 
"»f  hoftilijties,  are  as  follows  : 

«  xxr.  cii._..     ^Lexington,  ^pri/^.2.5,  1775. 
vf^c  vuiwiHOu.  lifuwu,  junaUian  JUoung,  and 
•^'  6  .    .*  Elijah 


(      21      ) 

Elijah  Sariderfbri,,iiI.of.Jawfiri  nee-  Wr^r^ 
ington,  -in  the  coimly  of  SiX'  ""^a     ^"^ 

.cftify.  J.^dlS^KTaU't^^'^S'  *'^«^* 
havwg  been  dtfroiffed  by  Ae  nffi-.. '^  l  *'""'»'<'• 
vancing  towards  L«!„«^'       ^'''"  *f°°PS  "d- 

"gukrs,  whom  I  S  to  be  ^„  n^'  °0'^"= 
"  damn  them.  u,.  .„°m  i.  _*..*"  Oftper,   fay. 


Si 


i/ 


'   I 


I 


t  "  ) 

on  the  Lexington  company,  which  did  not  fire  a 
gun  before  the  regulars  difcharged  on  themv 
Eight  of  the  Lexington  company  were  killed 
\vhile  they  were  difperfin^,  and  at  a  confidcrabk 
diftance  from  each  othtr,  and  many  wounded,  and 
altho*  a  fpedator,  I  narrowly. efcaped  with  my  life. 

ELIJAH  SANDERSON." 
'  Lexington,  jipriiz^i  177  c. 

"  I  Thomas  Rice  Willard,  of  lawful  age,  do 
teftify  and  dedare,  that  being  in  the  houfe  of 
Daniel  Harrington,  of  faid  Lexington,   on  the 
19th  inftant,  in  the  morning,  about  half  an  hour 
before  fun-rife,  looked  out  at  the  window  of  faid 
houfe,  and  faw  (as  I  fuppofc)  about  four  hundred 
regulars  in  one  body,  coming  up  the  road,  and 
marched  towards  the  North  part  of  the  common, 
back  of  the  meeting-houfe  of  faid  Lexington, 
and  as  foon  as  faid  regulars  were  againft  the  eaft 
end  of  the  meeting-houfe,  the  commanding  of^ 
ficer  faid  fomething,  what  I  know  not,  but  upon 
that  the  regulars  ran  till  they  came  within  about 
^'ght  or  nine  lods  of  about  an  hundred  of  the  mi- 
litia, of  Lexington,  who  wcr«  coUc^ked  on  faid 
common,  at  which  time  the  militia  of  Lexington 
difperfed,  then  the  officers  made  an  huzza,  and 
the  private  foldiers  fuccecdcd  them,  diredlly  after 
this  an  officer  rode  before   the  regulars,  to  the 
other  fide  of  the  body,  and  hallowed  after  the 
militia  of  faid  Lexington,  and  faid,  "  Lay  down 
your  arms,  damn  you,  why  don*t  you  lay  down 
your  arms,"  and  that  there  was  not  a  gun  fired 
till  the  militia  of  Lexington  were  difperfed,  and 
further  faith  not. 

THOMAS  RICE  WILLARD." 
Lexmgt(ni^2$th  April,  lyy^, 
«*  Simon  Winfhip,  of  Lexington,  in  the  county 


Sfiu  ^rvvuicc 


-  C     Ik.  ft  _^£ff    _».        f    -      _ 

Oa  i?ifUAiiciiiiiei!iH 


B 


^7» 


outant  trom  the  meeung-houfein  faid  Lexington 
he  was  metby  a  body  of  the  King's  regular  trooos' 
and  being  flopped  by  fome  officers  oU^d  JZ  ' 

Sit  to  ho  ft  3'  ^;  7'  °"'Sed  by  force  t^ 
of  he  bodv  1h  K  ^"^"^  '?  ""''' '"  'he  midft 
been  waS:,  ?K  '^'re«»°»nsd  whether  he  had 
but  hTl^^  *''''  ""5'"*' '""''  he  anfwered  no 

fa"heA  ^1° "^•""i'"?  "''"'  «'"»«£  to  W; 
latner  s.    Said  Winfliip  further  teflifies    thaf  hi 

^d  it,„  ,       "  '^"'"•nanded  the  troops  to  halt 
and  dien  to  pr.me  and  load  ,  this  bciV  done  the 

partly  coIleaedoA,K.       ^^P*"/'  who  were 
•roops.  flouri/hing  his  fword.  a^d  S  f .'"'^ 

«o  dStharl    ?  ""*"""  '■"'"'«•  'h«  'here  was    ' 
»o  aiicharge  of  arms  on  either  fide  till  th^  ,.,!,,j 
fire  was  given  by  faid  Officer  as  above 

SIMON  WINSHIP." 

••  I  John  parke?:Swf;;f;«;^:id''7^- 

acciarc,  that  on  the  loth  inflanf    in  tU^  ^    •  • 
about  one  of  .he  clocCwn/in^r'/r /r?.' 
were  ,  number  of  regular  Officenriding  "up'T.'d 

down 


i       r 


dcwri  the  roady  ftopprng  aind'  inrulting  people  a# 
tbcy  palTed  tb<i  soad ;.  an3  ^Ifo  akt^s  informed'  tbsrt 
a  number  of  regular  tpowps  were  oo  their  rrfarch 
from  Boftort,  ioi  order  to  take  the  province  ftorcs 
it  Concord,  bwfcred  oar  milifiia  to  meet  on  the 
CoroiRon  viii  faid  Lexington,  to  confulcwhat  to 
do,  and  concluded  not  tobe  c^ifcovercdraoc  med«»i 
db  or  make  with;  laid  regtrtar  troops((if  thj^yiflibttld 
^pToach)  unlefsjthey  fliouM  infeltor  moleft  u«  -, — 
and  upon,  their  foddeo  approach  I  immediately 
ordered  our. -militia:  to  difperfe  and  not  tb  fire.—* 
Jmmediately  faid  troop*  made  their  appearance 
and  ru(hcd  furioufly,  fired  upon  and  killed  eight 
of  our  party,  wit-hout  receiviftg^  any  provocation 

therefore  from  us.  • 

JOHN  PARKER."  a 

"  I  John  Robins,  beingf  of  lawful  ago,  do^  tef- 
tify  and  fay,  that  on  the  19th  inft.  the  conapany 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  John  Parker^  being 
drawn  up(fometime  before  fuft-rife)  on  the  green- 
er common,  and  \  being  in  the  front  rank,  there 
fuddenly  appeared  a  number  of  the  King's  troops, 
about  a  thoufandas  I  thought,  at  the  diftance  of 
about  60  or  70  yards  from  us  huzzaing>  and  on- 
a  quick  pace  towards  us^  with' three  officers  in 
their  front  on  horfe-back  and  on  full  gallop  to- 
wards us,  the  foremoft  of  which  cried,  throw 
down  your  arms  ye  villains,  ye  rebels !  upon  which 
faid  company  difperfing,  the  foremoft  of  the  three- 
ofHcers  ordered  their  men,  faying  fire,  by  God 
fire  !  at  which  moment  we  received  a  very  heavy 
and  clofe  fire  from  them,  at  which  inftant,  beibg 
wounded,  I  fell,  and  feveral  of  our  men  were 
Ihot  dead  by  me.  Capt.  Parker's  men  I  believe- 
had  not  then  fired  a  gun,  and  further  the  deponent- 
faith  not.  JOHN  RO&INS;- 

Lexington 


eoplea* 

r  niarch 
-c  ftorcs 
on  the 
■whskt  to 
M*  mcd^ 

ft  u«V"— 
«dratoly 

)  fire>— 

>earance 

id  eight 

vocation 

»775- 
,  dtf  tcf- 

onnpany 

rv  being 

ie  green 

ik,  there 

stroops, 

lance  of 

and  on 

Eficers  in 

lUop  to- 

,  throw 

»n  which 

he  three- 

by  God 

ry  heavy 

it,  beibg 

len  were 

[  believe' 

ieponcnt- 

Lexington 


(  ^s  ) 

"  We.  Benjamin  Trn'of^/^"'^^'  'P^' 

ftx,  and  colony  of  Ma/rachnf,f,'c  c^  or  middle- 
England,  of  lawful  .»c  do  teffifl  ^n^'!,'  f  ^T" 
on  the  morning  of  ,hl  nth  nf  A^  m^  1"'"''  *" 
five  o'clock,  bein?  on  &n„fr^*''''''''*'  ''''°"' 
mounted  on  hori  we  faw^'f  .S""^/".  7<i 
troops  marchin-  uo  toTh.  r  •  ^  °J  '^S"'*"" 
which  was  theS  dffp  °fi  e!  foon'T"  ■^'""P''"^' 
fired,  f5rft  a  few  guSs  which  2VL"  *u  '"S"'"" 
from  fome  of  tbe're^W    who  '°  "^^  P"*°''' 

Wfe.  and  then  the^'f^jre^t S  ~  :'J 
two,  before  any  guns  were  fired  by  the  LeSl 
Company  5  our  horfes  immediaielTftarted  a„l  ?" 
rode  off.     And  further  ky  not!  ^  *    "^  ^^ 

BENJAMIN  TIDD. 
JOSEPH  ABBOT." 

ji^^iijijgion,    joMn  Chandler     ToHina    n^t.^    • 
Jofeph  Simonds,  Phinehas  Smi/h    T  I    ^u'  J.""^ 
J™.    Reuben  Lock    Tod   v' •fe*'",.^'''"'^'*''' 
Samuel  Tidd.  Be^  a^i/lL^Thot   Win^^o' 

do  leftify  and  declare.!"  .  !f{uJ"  .^_^^?"g'^«d, 

;" '^"^  *y»n  oiAprii  in- 

^  itant. 


t 


1 


W'l 


I ) 

'  li 

) 

% 

\ 

(.  26  >. 

ftant,  about  one  of  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
being  informed  that  fcvcral  officers  of  the  regulars 
had  the  evening  before  been  riding  up  and  down  the 
road    and  had  detained  and  infuited  the  inhabitants 
paffing  the   fame;  and  alfo  undcrftanding  that  a 
body  of  regulars  were  marching  from  Bolton  to- . 
wards  Concord,  with  intent  (as  it  was  fuppofed)  to 
take  the   flores   belonging  to  the  colony  in  that 
town,  we  were  alarmed,  and  having  met  at  the 
place  of  our  company's  parade,  were  difmilTcd  by 
our   captain.  John  Parker,  for  the  prefent    with 
orders  to  be  ready  to  attend  at  the  beat  ot  the  drum. 
We  further  teftify  and  declare,    that  about  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  hearing  our  drumi  beat,  we 
proceeded  towards  the  parade,  and  foon  found  that 
a  large  body  of  troops  were  marching  towards  us : 
fome'of  our  company  were  coming  up  to  the  pa- 
rade, and  others  had  reached  it,  at  which  time  the 
company  began  to  difperfe  :  whilft  our  backs  were 
turned  on  the  troops  we  were  fired  on  by  thern,  and 
a  number  of  our  men  were  inftantly  killed  and 
wounded.    Not  a  gun  was  fired  by  any  perfon  in  our 
company  on  the  regulars  to  our  knowledge,  before 
they  fired  on  us,  and  they  continued  firing  untii 
we  had  all  made  our  efcape.  ^^ 

Signed  by  each  of  the  above  Deponents. . 

Lexington^  isth  of  Aprih  ^77 S^ 
'*  We,  Nathaniel  Parkhurft,  Jonas  Parker, 
John  Munroe.  jun.  John  Winihip,  Solornoa 
Pierce,  John  Muzzy,  Abner  Meeds,  John  Bridge, 
jun.  Ebenezer  Bowman,  William  Munroe,  the  3d, 
Micah  Hagar,  Samuel  Saunderfon,  Samuel  Haf- 
tings.  and  James  Brown  of  Lexington,  in  the 
county  of  Middlefex,  and  colony  of  MalTachulett  s- 
ciav,  in  New-Enaland,  and  all  of  lawful  age,  do 
" ' '  ®  tcftify 


orning, 
egulars 
►wn  the 
abitants 
y  that  a 
fton  to- 
ofed)  to 
in  that 
;  at  the 
ilTcd  by 
It,  with 
e  drum, 
out  five 
beat,  we 
and  that 
ards  us: 
the  pa- 
time  the 
:ks  were 
lem,  and 
Ued  and 
on  in  ouF 
:,  before 
ing  until 


>» 


nenis. 

'h  177  S^ 

Parker, 
Solumoa 
n  Bridge, 
;,  the  3d, 
uel  Haf- 
i,  in  the 
ichufett's- 
jlage,  do 
icftify 


C   27   ) 

teftify  and  fay,  that  on  the  mornin.,  of  the  ninr*. 
teenthof  April  inftant.  about  one  or  two  o'^k 
being  informed  that  a  number  of  regular  officers  haci 
been  ndmg  up  and  down  .he  road^the  evening  and 
night  preceding,  and  that  fome  of  the  inhabitants 
as  they  were  paffing,  had  been   infuhed   b/the  of- 
ficers and  flopped  by  them ;  and  being  alfo  informed 
that  the  regular   troops  were  on  their  march  from 
BoHon,  in  order  (as  it  was  faid)  to  take  the  Colony 
flores,  then  depofited  at  Concord,  we  met  on  the 
parade  of  our  company  in  this  town  ;  after  the  com. 
panyhad  colledled,  we  were  ordered   by  Captain 
ParKer  (who  commanded   us)  to  difperfe  for  the 
prefent,  and  to  be  ready  to  attend  the  beat  of  the 
drum,    and  accordingly  the  company    went  into 
houfes  near  the  place  of  parade.     We  further  te- 
ftify  and  fay.  that  about  five  o'clock  in  the  morning 
we  attended  the  beat  of  our  drum  and  w^re  formed 
on  the  parade,  we  were  faced  towards  the  regulars 
then  marching  up  to  us,  and  fome  of  pur  company 
were  coming  to  the  parade  with  their  backs  towVrds 
the  troops,  and  others  on  the  parade  bcL^an  to  dif- 
perfe when  the  regulars  fired  on  the  company,  before 
a  gun  was  fired  by  any  of  our  company  on  them. 
1  hey  killed  eight  of  our  company  and  wounded  le- 
veral,  and  continued  their  fire  until  we  had  all  m'ade 
our  efcape.     Signed  by  each  of  the  above  depcnentsr 

««  T  ^-  L  o  ^^^'"S^^^^^  ^pril  2C,  I77r 
I  Timothy  Smith,  of  Lexington,  in  the 
county  of  Middlefex,  and  colony  of  Ma/rachufett'.- 
Bay  ,n  New-England,  being  of  lawful  age,  do 
teltify  and  declare,  that  on  the  morning  of  the  nine- 
teenth of  April  inftant,  being  on  Lexington  com- 
mon as  a  fpeftator,  I  faw  a  large  body  of  regular 
troops  marching  up  towards  the  Le^inofnn  .r.^ 


AJ 


E 


pany 


(  28  ) 

pany  then  difperfing,  and  likewlfe  faw  the  regular 
troops  fire  on  the  Lexington  con[)pany  before  the 
latter  fired  a  gun  j  I  immediately  ran,  and  a  volley 
was  difcharged  at  me,  which  put  me  in  imminent 
danger  of  lofing  my  life:  I  foon  returned  to  the 
common  and  faw  eight  of  the  Lexington  men  who 
were  killed  and  lay  bleeding  at  a  confiderable  di- 
ilance  from  each  other;  and  Icveral  were  wounded, 
and  further  faith  not.        TIMOTHY  SMITH." 

Lexington^  April  2^,  ^77 S* 
**  We  Levi  Mead  and  Levi  Harrington,  both  of 
Lexington,  in  the  county  of  Middlefex,  and  colony 
of  Maflachufett's-Bay,  in  New- England,  and  of 
lawful  age,  do  teftify  and  declare,  that  on  the 
morning  of  the  19th  of  April,  being  on  Lexington 
common,  as  fpedators,  we  faw  a  large  body  ot 
regular  troops  marching  up  towards  the  Lexington 
company,  and  fome  of  the  regulars  on  horfes,  whom 
we  took  to  be  officers,  fired  a  piftol  or  two  on  the 
3-,exington  company,  which  was  then  difperfing ; 
Thefe  were  the  firlt  guns  that  were  fired,  and  they 
were  immediately  followed  by  feveral  vollies  from 
the  regulars,  by  which  eight  men  belonging  to  the 
faid  company  were  killed,  and  feveral  wounded. 
^  LEVI  HARRINGTON, 

LEVI  MEAD," 

•     *  Lexhigtcn,  April  2 ^y  ^775^ 

•'  I  William  Draper,  of  lawful  age,  and  an  in- 
habitant of  Colrain,  in  the  county  of  Hampfhire, 
and  colony  of  Mallachufett's-Bay,  in  New-England, 
do  teftify  and  declare,  that  being  on  the  parade  of 
faid  Lexington,  April  19th  inflant  about  half  an 
hour  before  fun-rife,  the  King's  regular  troops  ap- 
peared at  the  mccting-houfe  of  Lexington,    Capt, 

*  z  Parker's 


;  regular 
fore  the 
a  volley 
raiminent 
d  to  the 
nen  who 
rable  di- 
/ounded, 
^ITH." 

,  boih  of 
id  colony 
and  of 
;  on  the 
exingtou 
body  of 
,exington 
:s,  whom 
o  on  the 
fperfing  ; 
and  they 
lies  from 
ng  to  the 
unded. 
GTON, 


5»  ^111- 
d  an  in- 

impfhire, 

England, 

parade  of 

t  half  an 

oops  ap- 

!,     Capt, 

Parker's 


(     29      ) 

Parker's  company,  who  were  drawn  up  back  of 
faid  meeting-houfe  on  the  parade,  turned  from  Ciid 
troops,  making  their  efcape  by  difperfing ;  in  the 
mean  time  the  regular  troops  made  an  huzza  and 
r  n  towards  Capt.  Parker's  company,  who  were 
dKperfing,  and  immediately  after  the  huzza  was 
made  the  commanding  officer  of  faid  troops  (as  I 
took  him)  gave  the  command  to  the  faid  troops, 

tl,  ^^  A^c  '*'"'"  y°"  ^''«'"  ^"d  immediately 
they  fired  before  any  of  Captain  Parker's  company 
ftied  1  then  being  within  three  or  four  rods  of  faid 
regular  troops,     And  further  fay  not. 

WILLIAM  DRAPER." 

onH  }  T  ""  u  ^^^"den,  of  lawful  age,^  teftify 
and  declare,  that  being  in  a  pafture  near  the  meet- 
ing-houfe  at  faid  Lexington,  on  Wednefday  laft, 
at  about  half  an  hour  before  fun-rife.  I  fay  a  num' 
ber  of  regular  troops  pafs  fpeediiy  by  faid  meeting- 

Tc  \  t"""  ^  '^"'  "^^y  ^"""^^'^^  ^  company  of  militia 
ot  laid  Lexington,  who  were  aflembled  to  the  num- 
ber of  about  one  hundred  in  a  company,  at  the  dif- 
tance  of  eighteen  or  twenty  rods  from  laid  meeting- 
houfe  i  and  after  they  had  paffed  by  faid  meetinl 
houfe,  I  faw  three  officers  on  horfe-back  advance 
to  the  front  of  faid  regulars,  when  one  of  them, 
being  wuhin  fix  rods  of  the  faid  militia,  cried  out 

wt^n  JZ'  7^^\  immediately,"  on  which  he 
brandiHied  his  fword  over  his  head  three  times  • 
mean  while  the  fecond  officer,  who  was  about  two 
rods  behind  him,  fired  a  piftol,  pointed  at  faid  mi- 
fini^  ^l^      '!-n''^"''f  ^'P'  \^^^zznuo  till  he  had 

^^l^tZ^f'^'^'iy''  ^^°^^'  ^"^  ^hen    he  had 
thus  finiffied  brandiffiing  his  fword,  he  pointed  it 

down   towards  faid  militia,  and  immediately  on 


Al 


vv 


hich 


(    30    ) 

which  the  faia  regulars  fired  a  volley  at  the  milma, 
and  then  I  ran  oflfas  fall  as  I  could,  wl)ile  they  con- 
tinutd  firing  till  1  got  out  of  their  reach.  ^  1  farther 
u.Hfy,  that  ns  foon  as  ever  the  officer  cried  "  d.I- 
perfe.  you  rebels,"  the  faid  company  of  mihtm  dn- 
pei  fed  every  way  as  faft  they  could  and  vvh.lc  they 
were  difperfing,  the  regulars  kept  firing  at  them  m- 

ceffantly.     And  ^-^^-J^^-'fESSENDEN,'' 

Lincoln,  Jpril  22,  -i?? 5- 
««  I  John  Bateman,  belonging  to  the  fifty  le;ond 
reeiment,  commanded  by  Col.  Jones,  on  Wednel- 
day  morning,  on  the  19th  day  of  April  indant   was 
in  the  party  marfhing  to  Concord,  being  at  Lex- 
ington, in  the  county  of  Middlelex,  being  n>gh  the 
meetina-houfe  in  faid  Lexington,  there  was  a  Imall 
party  of  men  gathered  together  in  that  place,  when 
our  faid  troops  marched  by,  and  I  teft.fy  and  de- 
Clare  that  I  heard  the  word   of  command  given  to 
the  troops  to  fire,  and  fome  of  faid  troops  did  fire, 
and  I  faw  one  of  faid  fmall  party  'ay  dead  on  the 
cround  nigh  faid  meeting-houfe  ;  and  I  teftify  that 
1  never  heard    any  of  the  inhabitants  fo  much  as 

fire  one  gun  on  faid  troops.  _^,,  *  ^t  ., 

"^^         ^  JOHN  BATEMAN." 

Lexington,  Jpril  23,1 775. 
c.  We  John  Hoar,  John  Wbithead,  Abraham 
Garfield.  Benjamin  Monroe,  Ifaac  Parks,  Wilham 
Hofmer,  John  Adams  Gregory  Stone,  all  otLin- 
"olT- the  county  of  Middlefex.  ^-f^-^^lfl' 
Bay  all  of  lawful  age,  do  teft.fy  and  fay,  that  on 
Wednefday  laft  we  were  alTembled  at  Concord  ,n 
the  morning  of  f.id  day,  in  confequence  of  infor- 
ZZn  received,  that  a  brigade  of  regular  troops 


f    3^    ) 

were  on  their  march  to  the  faid  town  of  Concord^ 
who  had  killed  fix  men  at  the  town  of  Lexington  ^ 
about  an  hour  afterwards  we  faw  them  approach- 
ing, to  the  number,  as  we  apprehended,  of  about 
twelve  hundred,  on  which    we   retreated  to  a  hill 
about  eighty  rods  back,  and  the  faid  troops  then  took 
pofTeJion  of  the  hill,  where  we  were  firft  pofted ; 
prefcntly  after  this  we  faw  the  troops   moving  to- 
wards the  North  Bridge,  about  one  mile  from  the 
faid  Concord  meeting-houfe,  we  then  immediately 
went  before  them  and  paffed  the  bridge  juft  before 
a  party  of  them,  to  the  number  of  about  two  hun- 
dred, arrived  i  they  there  left  about  one  half  of  their 
two  hundred  at  the  bridge,  and  proceeded  with  the 
reft  towards  Col.  Barrett's,  about  two  nnles  from 
the  faid  bridge ;  we  then  feeing  feveral  fires  in  the 
town,  thought  thehoufes  in  Concord  were  in  dan- 
ger, and  marched  towards  the  faid  bridge,  and  the 
troops  that  were  ftationed  there,  obferving  our  ap^ 
proach,  ma;ched  back  over  the   bridge  and  then 
took  up  fome  of  the  planks  i  we  then  haftened  our 
march  towards  the  bridge,  and  when  we  had;  got 
near  the  bridge  they  fired  on  our  men,  firft  three 
guns,  one  after  the  other,  and  then  a  confiderable 
number  more  j  and  then,  and  not  before  (having 
orders  from  our  commanding  officer  not  to  fire  till 
we  were  fired  upon)  we  fired  upon  the  regulars  and 
they  retreated.     On  their  retreat  through  the  town 
of  Lexington  to  Charleftown,  they  ravaged  and  de- 
ftroyed  private  property,  and  burnt  three  houfes, 
one  barn,  and  one  Ihop 

Signed  by  each  of  the  above  deponents." 

Lexington^  April  23,  177c. 
**  We,  Nathan  Barret,  Captain,  Jonathan  Far- 
rar,  Jofeph  Butler,  and  Francis  Wheeler,  Lieute- 
nant?, 


(    3»    ) 

nants,  John  Barret,  Enfignjohn  Brown,  Silas  Walter, 
Ephraim  Mclvin, Nathan  13uttrick,Stcphcn  Hofmcr, 
jun.  Samuel  Barret,  Thomas  Jones,  Jofeph  Chandler, 
peter  Wheeler,  Nathan  Pierce  and  Edward  Rich- 
ardfon,  all  of  Concord  in  the  county  of  Middlc- 
fex,  in  the  province  of  MalTachufett's- Bay,  of  law- 
ful age,  tertify  and  declare,  that  on  Wednefday  the 
19th  inftant,  about  an  hour  after  fun-ri(e  we  afTem- 
bled  on  a  hill  near  the  Mceting-houfe  in  Concord 
aforcfaid,  in  confeqnence  of  an  information  that  a 
number  of  regular   troops   had  killed   fix   of  our 
countrymen  at  Lexington,  and  were  on  their  march 
to  faid  Concord  :  and  about  an  hour  afterwards  we 
faw  them  approaching,  to  the  number,  as  we  ima- 
gine, of  about  twelve  hundred  ;  on  which  we  re- 
treated to  a  hill  about  eighty  rods  back,  and   the 
aforcfaid  troops  then  took  podeflion  of  a  hill  where 
we  were  firft  ported.     Prefently  after  this  we  faw 
them  moving  towards  the  North  Bridge,  about  one 
mile  from  faid  Meeting- houfe,  we  then  immediate- 
ly went  before  them,  and   pafled  the  bridge  juft 
before  a  party  of  them,  to  the  number  of  about 
two  hundred,  arrived.     They  there  left  about  one 
half  of  thefe  two  hundred  men  at  the  bridge,  and 
proceeded  with  the  reft  towards  Colonel  Barret's^ 
about  two  miles  from  the  faid  bridge.     We  then 
feeing  feveral  fires  in  the  town,  thought  our  houfes 
were  in  danger,  and  immediately  marched  back  to- 
wards faid  bridge,  and  the  troops  who  wereftationed 
there,  obferving  our  approach,  m'4^'ched  back  over 
the  bridge,  and  then  took  up  fome  of  the  planks. 
We  then  haftened   our  fteps  towards  the  bridge, 
and  when  we  had  got  near  the  bridge,  they   fired 
on  our  men,   firfl  three  guns   one  atter  the  other, 
•and  then  a  confiderable  number  more:  upon  which, 
and  not  before,  (having  orders  from  our  command- 
ing 


we  ima- 


iRg  Officer  not  to  fire  till  wc  were  iircd  upon,  wo 
fired  upon  the  regulars,  and  they  retreated.  At 
Concord  and  on  tlieir  retreat  through  Lexington, 
they  plundered  many  houfej,  burnt  three  at  lex- 
mgton  together  with  a  (hop  and  barn,  a/id  com- 
mitted damage  more  or  left  tp  ajmoft  every  houfo 
from  Concord  to  Charleftown. 

.c  w  T  r  1.  r,  ^!s"^^h  tbe  above  Deponents. 
*.AT  %^/?^  ^"/^"  ^"^  Ephraim  Melvin,  do 
tcltity  and  declare,  that  when  the  regular  troops 
fired  upon  our  people  at  the  North  bridge  in  Con- 
cord, as  related  in  the  foregoir;g  depofitians,  they 
Ihot  one,  and  we  believe  two,  of  our  people,  before 
we  fired  a  fingle  gun  at  them. 
Lexington,  JOSEPH  BUTLER. 

April  23.  1775.  EPHRAIM  MELVIN." 

Concord,  April  27.  177c 
*k"  I'  Timothy  Minot^  junior,  of  Concord,  on 
the  19th  day  of  this  inftant  April,  after  that  I  had 
heard  of  the  regular  troops  firing  upon  LexingtoQ 
rnen,  and  fearing  that  hoftilities  might  be  commit- 
ted at  Concord  thought  it  my  incumbent  duty  to 
fecure  my  family— After  I  had  fecured  my  family, 
fome  time  after  that,  returning  towards  my  own 
dwelling    and  finding  that  the  bridge  on  the  north 
part  of  fajd  Concord  was  guarded,  by  regular  troops, 
being  a  fpedator  of  what  had  happened  at  faid 
bridge,  declare,  that  the  regular  troops  ftationed  on 
faid  bridge,  after  they  faw  the  men  that  were  col- 
eded  on  the  wefterly  fide  of  faid  bridge  marched 
towards  faid  bridge,  then  the  troops  returned  to- 
wards the  eafterly  fide  of  faid  bridge  and  formed 
themfelves    as  I  thought,  for  regular  fight  j  after 
that  they  fired  one  gun,  then  two  or  three  more, 
before  the  men  that  were  ftationed  on  the  wefterly 
pan  of  faid  bridge  fired  upon  them, 

TIMOTHY   MINOT.   i.jnlnr. 


I, 


4exi?j, 


^gton 


ri>  ^ 


i  kii 


sM    k 


('  34  ) 
Lexington,  April  2'i,,  177$' 
y  I,  Jfttties  Barret,  of  Concord,  Colonel  of  a 
ijigirt)dnt  of  militia  in  the  county  of  Middlefex,  do 
teftl^  and  fty,  that  oh  Wedhcfday  morning  laft, 
aboul  day  break,  I  was  informed  of  the  approach  of 
s^  Bumbief  of  the  regular  troops  to  the  towrt  of  Con- 
cord, where  were  fome  magazines  belonging  to 
this  province,  when  there  was  affembled  Ibme  of 
the  itailHift  of  this  and  the  neighbouring  towns,  I 
ordered  «hem  to  march  to  the  North  Bridge  (fo 
called)  Wbich  theyliad  pafl'cd  and  were  taking  up. 
I  ordered  faid  militia  to  march  to  faid  bridge,  and 
paft  ^be  f^e,  but  not  to  fire  on  the  King's  troops, 
unlefs  they  were  firft  fired  upon.  We  advanced 
near  4id  brid^,  when  the  faid  troops  fired  upon 
o«r  mlUtia  ana  killed  two  men  dead  on  the  fpot, 
ap4  Wounded  feveral  others,  which  was  the  firft 
firing  i>f  guns  in  the  town  of  Concord  :  my  de- 
tach mint  then  retu  reed  the  fire,  which  killed  and 
U^oqnded  feVer el  of  the  King's  troops. 

JAMES  BARRET 


cc 


Lexington,  April  2"^,  ^77 S* 
We,  Bradbury  Robinfon,  Samuel  Spring, 
Thaddeus  Bancroft,  all  of  Concord  ;  and  James 
Adams,  of  Lexington,  all  in  the  county  of  Mid-- 
dlefex,  all  of  lawful  age,  do  teftify  and  fay, 
that  on  Wednefday  morning  laft,  near  ten 
of  the  clock,  we  faw  near  one  hundred  of  the  re- 
gular troops,  being  in  the  town  of  Concord  at  the 
Nor^h  Bridge  in  faid  town  (fo  called)  and  having^ 
palled  the  fame,  they  were  taking  up  the  (aid 
bridge,  when  about  three  hundred  of  our  militia 
were  advancing  toward  faid  bridge,  in  order  to  pafs 
laid  bride,  when,  without  faying  any  thing  to  us, 
ihev  difcharjred  a  number  of  euns  on  uSj  which  kil- 

6  led 


el  of  a 
fex,  do 
ng  laft, 
roach  of 
of  Con- 
iging  to 
lome  of 
owns,  I 
dge  (fo 
king  up. 
ge,  and 
s  troops, 
dvanced 
ed  upon 
the  fpot, 
the  firft 
my  de- 
lled  and 

U  ^77 i' 
Spring, 

i  James 
of  Mid^ 
ind  fay, 
near  ten 
?"  the  re- 
rd  at  the 
d  having^ 
the  faid 
ir  militia 
?r  to  pafs 
ig  to  us, 
hich  kil- 
led 


>' 


led  two  men  dead  on  the  fpot,  and  wounded  fewtal 
others;  when  we  returned  the  fire  on  them,  which 
killed  two  of  them,  and  wounded  feveral,  which 
was  the  beginning  of  hoftilities  in  the  town  of  Con- 
Cord.  BRADBURY  ROBINSON 

SAMUEL  SPRING, 
THADDEUS  BANCROFT 
JAMES  ADAMS." 

■  ff^orcefiery  ^pn7  26,  177c. 

Hannah  BradiOi,  of  that  part  of  Cambridge, 
called  Menotomy,  and  daughter  of  Timothy  Paine, 
of  Worccfter,  in  the   county   of  Woreefter,  Efq; 
of  awful  age,  teftifies  and  fays,    That  about   five 
o  clock  on  Wednefday  laft,  afternoon,  being  in  her 
bed  chamber,  with  her   infant  child,  about  eight 
days  old,  fhe  was  furprifed  by  the  firing  of  the 
King  s  troops  and  our  people,  on  their  return  from 
Concord.     She  being  weak  and  unable  to  go  out 
ofherhoufe,  in  order  to  fecure  herfelf  and  family 
they  all  retired  into  the  kitchen,  in  the  back  part  of 
the  houfe.     She  foon  found  the  houfe  furrouoded 
with  the  King's  troops  5    that  upon  obfervation 
made,  at  leaft  feventy  bullets  were  fhot  into  the 
front  part  of  the  houfe  J  feveral  bullets  lodged  in  the 
kitchen  where  (he  was,  and  one  pafled  throu^^h  an 
eafy  chair  (he  had  juft  gone  from.     The  door  of  the 
front  part  of  the  houfe  was  broke  open  j    flie  did 
not  fee  any  foldiers  in  the  houfe,  but  fuppofed,  by 
the  noife,  they  were  in  the  front.     After  the  troops 
had   gone  off,    (l^c  mifTed  the   following  things, 
which,  fhe  verily  believes,  were  taken  out  of  the 
houfe  by  the  King's  troops,  viz.  one  rich  brocade 
gown,  called  a  negligee,  one  luteftring  gown,   one 
white  qu:lt,  one  pair  of  brocade  fhocs,  three  (hifts, 

*^  2  eight 


/i 


M 


■\  , 


<    3*    > 

eight  white taprons,  three  caps,  one  cafe  of  ivory' 

knives  and  forks,  and  fevcral  other  fmall  articles. 

HANNAH  BRADISH/* 

**  Mrs.  Hannah  Bradi(h,  the  above  deponent 
maketh  oath  before  us,  the  fubfcribers,  two  of  his 
Majefty's  Juftices  of  the  Peace  for  the  county  of 
Worcefter,  and  of  the  quorum,  that  the  above  de- 
pofition,  acording  to  her  beft  recolledion,  is  the 
truth.  Which  depofition  is  taken  in  perpetuam  rei 
mcmoriam,  THOMAS  STEEL, 

TIMOTHY  PAINE." 


Concord y  April  22,.,  1775. 
**  I  James  Marr,  of  lawful  age,  teftify  and  fay, 
that  in  the  evening  of  the  eighteenth  inftant,  I  re- 
ceived orders  from  George  Hutchinfon,  Adjutant  of 
the  fourth  regiment  of  the  regular  troops  ftationed 
at  Bofton,  to  prepare  and  march  :  To  which  order  I 
attended,  and  marched  to  Concord,  where  I  was 
ordered  by  i\n  oflScer  with  about  one  hundred  men, 
to  guard  a  certain  bridge  there;  while  attending 
that  fervice,  a  number  of  people  came  along,  in 
order,  I  fuppofe,  to  crofs  faid  bridge,  at  which 
time  a  number  of  the  regular  troops  firft  fired  upon 
them.  JAMES  MARR." 

Medford,  Aprilz^^iyy^. 
**  I  Edward  Thoroton  Gould,  of  his  Majefty's 
own  regiment  of  foot,  being  of  lawful  age,  do  te^ 
ftify  and  declare,  that  on  the  evening  of  the  eigh- 
teenth inftant,  under  the  orders  of  General  Gage, 
I  embarked  with  the  light  infantry  and  grenadieis 
of  the  line,  commanded  by  Col.  Smith,  and  landed 
orj  the  marOics  of  Cambridge,   from  whence  we 

proceeded 


proceeded  to  Lexington ;    on  our  arrival  at  th.* 
place,  we  raw  a  body  of  provincial  ."rLl^d 
to  tiie  number  of  about  fixty  or  fcventv  men    !f„' 
ourapproacl,    t),ey  difperfed!  and  7<^n{fTiZ 
began.  butwl,id>  party  fired  firft  I  canno  teS 
%.  as  our  troops  rufl^ed  on  (houting  and  U"W 
F-.OUS  to  tlie  firing,  which  was  continued  by  "S 
toops  fo  long  as  any  of  the  provincials  wereTb^ 
feen.     From  thence  we  naarched  to  Concord    on  a 
h.11  near  the  entrance  of  the  town,  we  faw  Mother 
body  of  provmcials  aflembled,    the  light  iXt^v 
companies  were  ordered  up  the  hill  to  diWfe th -m' 
on  our  approach  they  ret'reated  towards'^ontrd 
the  grenadiers  continued  the  road  under  the  hiHn ' 
wards  the  town.     Six  companies  of  1  Jht  infant™ 
^ere  ordered  down  to  take  VoMcn  o^f  ,h  tg 

rcomman/H°''"'"''T''"''  '^"=  the  company 
i  commanded  wasone.  three  companies  of  theabove 
detachment  went  forward  about  two  miles  fn  the 
mean  t,me  the  provincial  troops  re>u"ed  to  the 
number  of  about  three  or  four  hundred T We  drlw 
up  on  the  Concord  fide  of  the  bridge,  the  p^^vincTab 
came  down  upon  us.  upon  which  we  engS  and 
gave  the  firil  fire;  this  was  the  firft  efgfgemeM 
after  the  one  at  Lexington  ;  a  continued  Sfrom 
both  parties  lafted  through  the  whole  day;  TS 
was  wounded  at  the  attack  of  the  bridg;.  aX' 

rr'rM"'  *'*.""=  g««^ft  humanity,^ and ^ken 
allpoffible  c^e  of  by  the  provincials  at  Medford 

EDWARD  THOROTON  GOULD." 

Lieut.  King's  own  Regiment. 

MtdeUefex  Connty,  April z^,  '775- i 
."  J-ieut.  Thoroton  Gould,  aforenamed,  perfon- 

ally 


(    38    ) 
ally  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  decla- 
ration by  him  fubfcribed,  before  us, 
TiiAD.  Mason,  Josiah  Johnson,  Simon  Tufts, 
'  Juftices  of  the  peacc>  for  the  county  aforefaid, 
Quorum  unus. 

Province  of  Maffachufetfs-BayyCharleftowny  ff. 

**  I  Nathaniel  Gorham,  Notary  and  TabclUon 
Pnbljc,  by  lawful  authority  duly  admitted  and 
fworn,  hereby  certify,  to  all  whom  it  doth  or  may 
concern,  That  Thadeus  Maffon,  Jofiah  Johnfon, 
and  Simon  Tufts,  Efqrs.  are  three  of  his  Majefty'S 
Juftices  of  the  peace  (•^iorttm  unus)  for  the  county 
of  Middlefex  j  and  that  full  faith  and  credit  is,  and 
oui^ht  to  be  given  to  their  tranfadtions  as  fuch,  both 
in  court  and  out.  In  witnefs  whereof,  I  have  here- 
unto affixed  my  name  and  feal,  this  twenty-fixth 
day  of  April,  Anno  Domini,  one  thoufand  feven 
hundred  and  feventy-five. 

NATHANIEL  GORHAM,  Notary  Public." 

(L.  S.) 

(AUthcabo've  depofitions  are  fworn  to  before  Ju- 
Jiices  of  the  Peace,  and  duly  attejled  by  Notaries 
Public,  in  manner  of  the  laji  one.) 

In  Provincial Co7jgrefs,W^tenown,  April 26y  1775. 
To  the  Inhabitants  0/' Great-Britain. 
<*  Friends  and  Fellow  SubjeBs, 
"  Hoftihties  arc  at  length  commenced  in  this 
Colony  by  the  troops  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Gage,  and  it  being  of  the  greateft  importance,  that 
an  early,  true,  and  authentic  account  of  this  inhu- 
man proceeding  fhould  be  known  to  you,  the  Con- 
grefs  of  this  colony  have  tranfmitted  the  fame,  and 
from   want  of  a  feflioo  of  the  honourable  Conti- 
nental Congrefs,  think  it  proper  to  addrefs  you  on 


the  alarming  occafion. 


<( 


ii\ 


(C 


{    39    ) 


tranftaw,,,  «  will  appear  that,  on  the  night  pre- 
cedrag  the  nineteenth  of  April  inftant,  a  body  of 
the  Kings  troops,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Smith,  were  fecretly  landed   at  Cambridge,  with 

«h'T"1'*'''S"  '°  *''''  ordeftrt.y  the  military 
and  other  ftores  provided  for  the   defence  of  this 
eolony,  and  depofited  at  Concord,     thatfomein- 
habitants  of  the  colony,    on  the    night  aforefaid 
whilft  travelling  peaceably  on  the  road  tetween  Sol 

by  armed  men,  who  appeared  to  be  oflicers  of  Gen. 
Oage  s  army ;  that  the  town  of  Lexington  by  thele 
means  was  alarmed,  and  a  company  of  the  MM- 
t  ms  muftered  on  the  occafion.l-TjMt  the  regut. 
fM^'  °"  ^r"  'i'^yo Concord,  marched  into  the 
faid  town  of  Lexington,  and  the  faid  company  o„ 

ft3  "^P/v '"^  ^2'"  '°  difpcrfe.-That  nStwith- 
ftanding  this  the  regulars  ru/hed  on  with  ef«t 
violence,  and  firft  began  hoftilities,  by  firing  on 
feid  Lexington  company,  whereby  they  lulled 
eight,  and  wounded  feveral  others.— That  the  re- 
gulars continued  their  fire  until  thofe  of  faid  corn- 
s'7- "  7"'  "'t"'  ''"'*''  "°^  wounded,  had 
Mchrnent  then  marched  to  Concord,  where  a  num- 

.wn  „/,h      Tn  T'  'Sa'"  ^'^-^  °"  ^y  'ho  troops, 
wo  of  them  killed  and  feveral  wounded,  befor^ 

riie  provincials  fired  on  them,  and  thatthefe  hoftile 

iTfted  ^hrl    l!  ''°°I»  P™l"=^d  an  engagement  that 
fefted   through    the  day.  in  which   many   of  the 

£»wrndT°'■'''^-^"'-  '-f'  -'^ 

tul'  7""  ^'""^  ^  particular  account  of  the  ravages  of 

Charleftown,  would  be  very  difficult,   ifnotim- 

pradicabie  j 


\ii 


C  40    ); 

praftlGable>  let  it  fuffice  to  fay,  that  a  great  nirmber 
of  the  houfes  oq  the  road  were  plundered  and  ren- 
dered unfit  for  ufe  ;  feveral  were  burnt }  women  in 
child-bed  were  driven,  by  the  foldiery,  naked  into 
theftreetsj  o]d  men  peaceably  in  their  houfes  were 
(hot  dead;  and  fuch  fcenes  exhibited  as  would 
di%race  the  annuls  of  the  pipll  uncivilized  nations. 

"  Thefe,  ,breth;er>, ,  are  marks  of  minifterial 
vengeance  agajn^  this  colony,  for  refufing,  with  her 
lifter  colqnies,  a  fubmiffion  to  flaver  ;  bat  ihey 
have  not  yet  detached  us  from  our  K,  )vereign. 

We  profefs  to  be  his  loyal  and  dutiful  i-jjeds,  and 
fo  hardly  dealt  with  as  we  have  been,  are  flill  ready, 
with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  defend  his  perfon, 
family,  crown,  and  dignity.  Neverthclefs,  to  the 
Perfecution  and  Tyranny  of  his  cruel  Miniftry  we 
will  not  tamely  fubmit — ^appealing  to  Heaven  for 
the  juftice  of  our  caufe,  we  determine  to  die  or  be 
irec.  .  ii 

<«  We  cannot  think  that  thehonor,  wifdom,  and 
valout  of  Britons  will  lufFer  them  to  be  long  ina(ftive 
fpeftators  of  meafures,  in  which  they  themfelves 
arc  fo  deeply  interefted — Meafures  purfued  in  op- 
pofitipD  to  the  folemn  protefts  of  many  noble  Lords, 
and  exprefTed  fenfe  of  confpicuous  Commoners, 
whofe  knowledge  and  virtue  have  long  charac- 
terized them  as  fome  of  the  greateft  men  in  the  na- 
tion'— Meafures  executing  contrary  to  the  interefl:, 
petitions,  and  refolves  of  many  large,  refpedlable, 
and  opulent  counties,  cities,  and  boroughs  in  Great 

Britain Meafures  highly  incompatible  with  ju- 

ftice,  but  ftill  purfued  with  a  fpecious  pretence  of 

eafing   the  nation  of  its    burthens Meafures, 

which  if  fuccefsful,  muft  end  in  the  ruin  and  fla- 
very  of  Britain^  as  well  as  ike  perfecuted  American 
Colonies. 

•«  We 


r 
t 

a 
a 

d 
n 
C 

P 
P 


(    4'    ) 

nfl.T^'^"'^"''^.''°P'■  *"  the  Great  Soverelgii 
of  'he  Umverfe,  who  hath  fo  often  appeared  for  tSe 
Enghft  Nat,on,  will  fupport  you  in  every  rat  opal 
and  manly  exertion  with  thefe  Colonies.  forfavTnB 

wid,7hJM',K     A'''"  '"  '  <^onftitutionalconneaion 

w.h  the  Mother  Country,  we  fl.all  foon  be  alto- 

gether  a  free  and  happy  people. 

Per  Order, 
n  ,^^}^1^  WARREN,  Prejdenf,  P.T.'' 
Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  have  the  above  de, 

pofitions  and  the   Addrefs  to  the  Inhabitants  of 

Great-Bntain  published. 
Rejohed,  N.  C.  D,    That  the  Congrcfs  will  on 
^^  Monday  next  relblve  itfelf  into  a  committee  of  the 

whole,    to    take  into  confideraticn   the  /^ate    of 

America. 

Ordered    Tha^  the    letter  from  the  Provincial 
Congrefs  of  Maflachufett's-Bay  be  referred  to  tha 
Committee. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  ten  o'clock,    and 
from  thence  to  Saturday. 

SATURDAY,  May  13,177. 
The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Congrefs  being  informed  that  Dodtor  Ly- 
man Hall  attended  at  the  door,  as  a  delegate  from 
he  panfh  of  St  John's,  in  the  colony  of  Georg^ 
anddefired  to  know  whether  as  fuch  he  may  be 
admitted  to  this  Congrefs,  ^ 

uigreed  unanimoujly,  That  he  be  admitted  as  a 
4elega^  from  the  parifh  of  St,  John's,  in  the  colp. 
ny  of  Georgia,  fubj.ft  to  fuch  regulations  as  the 
Congrefs  fhall  determine,  relative  fo  his  voting. 

Mr.  Lyman  Hall  being  accordingly  admifted. 
produced  his  credentials,  which  were  read  and  ap! 
proved,  and  are  as  follows :  ^ 


G 


(f 


To 


(     42     ) 

^  To  the  honourable  Gentlemen  of  the   Congref?, 

defigned  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia^  on  May,  Anna 

Domini,  1775. 
*i  The  Addrefi  of  the  Inhabit  ant  i  of  the  Parifl  ofSt,^ 
Johns,  in  the  Proviiice  of  Georgia. 
*'  Gentlemen^ 

**  To  give  a  particular  detail  of  our  many  ftrug- 
gles  in  the  caufe  of  liberty,  the  many  meetings 
thereby  occafioned,  and  held  in  this  parilh,  the  en- 
deavours we  have  ufed  to  induce  the  tell  of  this 
province  to  concur  with  us,  the  attendance  of  our 
committee  on  the  provincial  conventions  held  at  Sa- 
vannah in  this  province,  and  particularly  that  of  the 
J  8th  pf  January  laft,  with  their  proceedingF,  and 
the  reafons  of  our  difl'ent  from  tnem,  we  think 
would  be  tedious  to  you,  and  therefore  fc;nd  a  fum- 
niary  abftrad,  which,  with  the  account  that  may 
be  given  by  Lyman  Hall,  Efq;  appointed  a  delej^ate 
to  reprefent  and  a<^  for  this  parilh  in  the  general 
Continental  Congrefs,  to  be  held  in  May  next, 
and  the  teftimonies  of  the  honourable  delegates  from 
South  Carolina,  we  hope  will  be  fatibfadory. 

*'  Immediately  upon  our  being  honoured  with 
an  anfwer  to  the  reprefentation  of  our  cafe,  tinf- 
mitted  to  the  honourable  Congrefs,  which  lai  - 
Philadelphia  laft  year,  with  a  copy  of  the  afibcivi 
tion  there  entered  into,  we  had  a  meeting,  and  our 
proceedings  then  and  lince  that  time,  will  in  brief 
appear  from  the  following  abUrads  of  an  Addrefs 
from  this  parifli  to  the  Committee  of  Correfpondence 
in  Charleftown,  South  Carolina,  which'  is  as  f-l- 
lows: 

*  Gentlemen^ 
•  Herewith  will  hz  commuricate^  to  you,  tl  e  fe- 
veral  fleps  taken  by  this  pari(h  in  their  end^a*.  ours 

to 


Congref?, 
'ay^  Anna 

rijfi  of  St, 


ny  ftrug- 
meetings 
,  the  en- 
It  of  this 
ce  of  our 
eld  at  Sa- 
hat  of  the 
lingF,  and 
vi'C  think 
id  a  fum- 
that  may 
a  delegate 
ic  general 
lay  next, 
^ates  from 
Ty. 

11  red  with 
.fe,  t  -nf- 
ich  la.  - 
5e  afibcia 
,  and  our 
1  in  brief 
n  Addrefs 
fpondence 
■  is  as  iA,^  . 


)u,  tl  e  fe- 
nd :a-  ours 
to 


(    43     ) 

to  conform  as  near  as  pofTible  to  the   Refolu- 
tions  entered  in'o  by   the  other   Colonies :  and 
the  particular  rieafures   now  adopted,   for  car* 
fying   into  execution   the   Continental  AfTocia^ 
tion,  which   we   embraced    the  earlieft  oppor- 
tunity of  acceding  to  by  fubfcribing  it;  on  con- 
dition that  trade  and  commerce  with  the  other 
Colonies  be  continued  to  us  the  fubfcribcrs ;  and 
thereupon    (houid    have    immediately    fent    to 
you  for  your  approbation  and  indulgence,  but 
were  delayed  by  a  fummons  to  attend  a  Provin- 
cial Congrefs  in  Savarinah,  on  the  1 8th  of  January 
ialt,  for  the  purpofe,  as  we  underftood,  of  a  gene- 
ral alTociation  with  the  other  Colonies,  and  chuf- 
^"g  ^j^Jegates :  At  which  time  and  place  we  at- 
tended,  and  acquainted  the  other  pariflies  aflem- 
bled  on  that  occafion,  that  we  had  already  acceded 
to  the   general    AfTociation,    on    condition,    as 
above-mentioned,  and  earneftly  requefted  them  to 
do  the  fame.    Had  they  acceded  fully  to  the  gene- 
ral Aflociation,  we  ihould  have  had  no  occafion 
to  trouble  you  with  this  Addrefs ;  but  as  they  did 
not,  we  now  apply  to  you,  to  admit  us  the  fub- 
Icribers  to  an  alliance  with  you,  requefting  that 
you  will  allow  trade  and  commerce  to  be  conti- 
nued to  us,  the  fame  to  be  conduced  uhder  fuch 
regulations  and  reftridions,  as  /hall  be  confiftent 
with  the  Continental  AlTociation,  and  which  oti 
our  part  we  engage  with  all  poflible  care  to  keep 
inviolate.     As  we  of  this  Parifb  are  a  body  de- 
tached  from  the  reft  (i.  e.  of  this  province)  by 
our  refolutions,   and  fufficiently  diftinft  by  local 
Situation,  large  enough  for  particular  notice,  ad- 
joining   a  particular  port,   and   in  that  refpeft. 
capable  of  conforming  to  the  general  Aflociation, 

G    2  if 


(  44  ) 
ifconncded  with  you,  with  the  fame  fidelity  as  a 
diflant  parifli  of  your  own  province  ;  we  muft  be 
confidered  as  comprehended  within  the  fpirit  and 
equitable  meaning  of  the  Continental  Affociation, 
and  hopeyou  will  not  condemn  the  innocent  with 
the  guilty,  efpecially  when  a  due  feparation  is 
inade  between  them. 

*  Give  us  leave  to  add  only,  that  we  wait  your 
anfwer,  ihall  be  glad  of  your  advice,  and  are,  with 

efleem» 

*  Gentlemen, 

*  Yours,   &c.* 
St,  Johns y^th  February,  1775. 

**  iTo  which  we  received  the  following  Anfwer^* 
*  Gentlemen, 

*  Your  letter,  accompanying  fundry  papers, 
having  been  laid  before  a  very  full  Committee  of 
this  Colony,  and  undergone  the  moft  mature  deli- 
beration :  I  am,  by  their  defire,  to  acquaint  you, 
that  they  have  the  higheft  fenfe  of  your  arduous 
ftuggles  in  favour  of  the  common  caufe  of  Ame- 
rica j  and  moft  fincerely  lament  your  prefent  un- 
happy fituation:  But  would  recommend  a  conti- 
nuance of  your  laudable  exertions,  and  the  lay- 
ing a  ftate  of  your  cafe  before  the  enfuing  Conti- 
nental Congrefs,  as  the  only  means  of  obtaining 
relief,  and  to  put  you  in  the  fituation  you  wifli, 
which  this  Committee  apprehend  to  be  entirely 
out  of  their  power  to  do,  as  it  is  their  opinion, 
that  the  parifh  of  St.  John,  being  part  of  the  Co- 
lony of  Georgia,  (which,  by  not  acceding  to, 
has  violated  the  Continental  Affociation)  falls  un- 
der the  14th  article  of  the  faid  Affociation,  no 
part  of  which  any  Committee  can  prefume  to  do 
away,  &c.* 


TT 


\J 


pUU 


(    45    ) 

•*  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  anfwer,  it  was  feri- 
oufly  confidered  in  what  manner  to  condud:  in 
the  prefent  fituation ;  and  pfopofed  whether  we 
ftiould  immediately  break  off  all  connexion  and 
commerce  whh  Savannah,  and  all  other  inhabi- 
tants of  this  province,  who  have  aot  fully  acceded 
to  the  Continental  Aflbciation.  '  r 

**  It  was  confidered,  that  as  wc  were  denied 
commerce  With  any  other  Colony,  and  but  one 
merchant  among  us  confiderabie  for  dry  goods 
had  figned  our  Affociation,  and  he  infufficient  for 
a  prefent  fupply,  and  we  utterly  unable  at  prefent 
to  procure  materials  or  manufadtures  for  cloath- 
ing  among  ourfelves,  wc  muft,  by  fuch  a  refo- 
lution,  become  extremely  miferable;  it  was 
therefore  concluded,  that  till  wc  could  obtain 
trade  and  commerce  with  fome  other  colony,  it  is 
abfolutely  neceffary  to  continue  it  in  fomerefpecSs 
with  our  own,  and  determined  that  it  be  carried 
on  under  the  following  regulations  : 

"  That  none  of  us  (hall  diredtly  or'indiredtly 
purchafe  any  flave  imported  at  Savannah,  (large 
numbers  of  which  we  underftand  are  there  ex- 
pedted,)  till  the  fenfe  of  the  Congrefs  Ihall  be 
made  known  to  us. 

*'  That  we  will  not  trade  at  all  with  any  mer- 
chant at  Savannah  or  elfewhere,  that  Will  not  join 
in  our  aflbciating  Agreement,  otherwife  than  un- 
der the  mfpeftion  of  a  Committee  for  that  pur- 
pofe  appointed,  and  for  fuch  things  only  as  they 
(hall  judge  neceflary,  ^nd  when  they  (liall  think 
there  ai^  neceffary  reafons  for  fo  doing. 

**  A -Committee  was  then  nominated  and  ap- 
pointed to  fit  weekly  on  Thurfdays,  for  the  pur- 
pofes  aforefaid.  . 

"  It 


(    46    ) 

»•  It  was  then  refolved,  that  a  delegate  be  fctit 
from  this  parifli  to  the  Congrefs,  to  be  held  at 
Philadelphia  in  May  next,  and  that  Tuefday  the 
2i(i  of  March  be  appointed  for  chufing  one. 

«*  On  the  faid  21ft  of  March,  at  a  full  meeting 
Lyman  Hall,  Efqj  was  unanimoufly  chofen  to 
reprefent  and  ^0:  for  the  inhabitants  of  this  parifli, 
tis  u  Delegate,  at  the  General  Congrefs  to  be  held 
in  Philadelphia  in  May  next,  who  are  determined 
faithfully  to  adhere  to  and  abide  by  the  determi- 
nations of  him  and  the  other  honourable  Mem- 
bers of  the  fame. 

*'  Signed  by  order  of  the  inhabit  ant  St 
By  QANIEL  ROBERTS,  and  twenty  others, 
,*f»/'    Members  of  the  Committee, 
Midway y  St,  Johns  Parijh,' 
:  I  in  the  province  of  Georgia^ 

J  ith  ApriU  A,  D.  I  -jy^: 

A  Petition  from  the  county  of  Frederic,  in  Vif- 
.ginia,  addreffed  to  the  Congrefs,  was  prefented 

and  read. 

Agreed,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee 

on  Monday. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o'clock. 

MONDAY,  May  15,  1775. 

The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Befides  thofe  who  met  at  the  opening  of  the 
Congrefs,  the  following  members  attended,  from 
New- York,  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Wifner,  Mr.  Schuy- 
ler, Mr.  Clinton,  Mr.  Morris,  and  Mr.  R.  R. 
Livingftoni  fiom  Pennfylvania,  Mr.  Wilfon  ; 
from    Maryland,  Mr.  Stone  and  Mr.   Goldfbo- 

rough. 

Upon  motion.  Agreed,  That  the  Secretary  be 
allowed  to  employ  Timothy  Matlack  as  a  clerk, 

he 


iaS 


(    47    ) 

Keep  icerct  tl  c  tranfaftions  of  the  Confrcfs    that 
...ay^bc  ctrullcd  to  l.im  or  may  con.e  toCk'now. 

The  city  and  country  of  New- York  having 
through  the  Delegates  of  that  province  amS' 
to  Congreft  for  advice,  how  to  condt^  tTm- 

he  CoCrfook  tt'tlr '  "^''''  '^- 
Durine  their  rf-rh      ■     "^  '"'°  <^onfideratioD. 

to  take^he  onin  '/TV"  ''^<^='"«'  "'"A""/ 

to  take  the  opinion  of  the  Congrefs  bv  Colonie/ 

upon  which  a  queftion  arofe,  wttl.er^he  d"  "' 

gate  from  the  parid,  of  St.  John's,  in  tie  Colons 

of  Georgia,  could  be  admitted   to  vote      After 

ttr':  r  °"r'''"  '^"^"'°"'  «'"=  Deleg;tefro; 
that  parifh  arofe,  and  after  obfervin»    th-,,7),. 

prdent  diftrcfiful  fituation  of  Amer  c  ^'affai"  hal 

nie^'^that  af  ?e  1^""  «prefen,ing  whole  Colo. 
mes,  that  as  he  did  not  leprcfcnt  a  Colonv    biii- 
only  a  part,  he  did  not  in/ft  on  giving  a  vo^;  as  , 
Colony,  but  was  contented  to  hear  ?nd Trtift  • 
the  debates,  and  ,o  give  his  vote    ,  a  1  cales    ex 

tl-n t"cotiS?""^-'^  "'  '-  '""^^'^ 

orS^sj^jtrdtinSfs 

^7"^'  Ward.  Efq,  one  of  the  DeLaterfrom 

d^Ss"  whthT""'  'f  p-'j""d\t  c  :^ 

arTaffolbws f  ^'"'  "^''  ""=^^  proved,  and 

^         -fc.»^/y*  C^/otj  oJ  Rhodcllland,  arj Provi- 
ZlrifJ"""""'"''    '"  ^''■■"'■^''S''""/.   in 


J.Q 


Vtk 


(  4B  ) 

ffo  tbe  Honourable  STEPHEN  HOPKINS,  E/qi 
and  the  Honourable  ^hmJEh  WARD,  EJq; 

Greetings 
Whereas  the  general  Aflembly  of  the  Cjlony 
aforefaid,  have  nominated  and  appointed  you  the 
faid  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Samuel  Ward,  to  re- 
prefent  the  people  of  this  Colony  in  a  General 
([^ongrefs  of  Reprefentatives  from  thjs  and  the 
other  Colonies,  to  be  holden  in  the  city  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  there  in  behalf  of  ^Ws  Colony,  to 
meet  and  join  with  the  Commiliioners  or  Dele- 
gates from  the  other  Colonies,  in  confulting  upon 
proper  meafures  to  obtain  a  repeal  of  the  i'everal 
ads  of  the  Britifh  Parliament  for  levying  taxes 
upon  his  Majefty's  fubjeds  in  i^merlca  without 
their  confcnr,  and  upon  proper  meafures,  to  efta- 
bli(h  the  Rights  and  Liberties  of  the  Colonies 
upon  a  juft  and  folid  foundation,  agreeable  to  the 
inftrudions  given  you  by  the  General  Aflembly. 

By  virtue  of  an  Ad  of  the  General  Aflembly,  I, 
Henry  Ward,  ^qj  Secretary  of  the  faid  Colony, 
have  hereunto  fet  my  hand  and  affixed  the  laid 
ieal  of  faid  Colony,  this  feventh  day  of  May, 
A.  D.  1775,  and  in  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  his  mofl:  facred  Majcfty  George  the  Third,  by 
(he  grace  of  God,  King  of  Great-Britain,  &c. 
iSignedJ  HENRY  WARD. 

The  matter  under  confideration  being  refumed, 
the  Congrefs 

Refohedt  That  it  be  recommended,  .  for  the 
prefent,  to  the  inhabitants  of  New- York,  that  if 
the  troops,  which  are  expeded,  fhould  arrive, 
the  faid  Colony  ad  on  the  defenfive,  fo_  long  as 
may  be  confident  with  their  fafety  and  fecurity ; 
that  the  troops  be  permitted  to  remain  in  the  bar- 
racks, fo  long  as  they  behave  peaceably  and 
quietly,  but  th°at  they  be  not  fuifered  to  ered  for- 

tir-cations 


>,  m-^ 

e  C'jlony 
1  you  the 
1,  to  re- 
\  General 

and  the 
sf  of  Phi- 
olony,  to 
or  Dele- 
:ing  upon 
.e  ieveral 
ing  taxes 
L  without 
),  to  efta- 

Colonies 
)le  to  the 
fembly. 
rembly,  I, 
i  Colony, 

the  laid 

of  May, 
the  reign 
rhird,  by 
D,   &c. 

/ARD. 

refumed, 

,  for  the 
k,  that  if 
lid  arrive, 
fo  long  as 
fecurity  ; 
n  the  bar- 
eably  and 
eredt  for- 
tir.cations 


('  #  ) 

tifications.  or  take  any  fte/is  YSr' c'&tlinroif  Jl- 
a'nd'tf  ^1^  betw^n  4  tpwn  aid  fount  J 
and  taauf  they  cpniniit  hoftilities  of  invade  d«' 

th?t  the  warlike  tefej  6?' removed  fr<ini  the  town' 

vif //"l*"^ '"*■"''  '""'■^  6/neceffity,  be  pTo  ' 
vided  for  the  woman  Jnd  Children  of  New-Yort" 
and  that  a  fufficient  number  of  men  be  ::b2^ 
and  kept  m  conftant  readinefs  for  pfoteainTth= 
inhabitants  from  infult  and  injury.   ^  " ^       ' 

Two  memorials,  one  from  Samuetfefcoemaker  ' 

tills  city,  refpeamg  fome  cargoes  purchkfed  hv 
them  and  intended  for  Newfoutidland,  but  which 
U^AT"^  l^  '^^  Co'""iitt.e  of  this  city,  w  re 
She  ,i.^°"^^^''^  '"''-'■  --^  -^-"o 
Ufion  motion,  Rtfohed,  That  Mr.  Wa(hin?ton 
Mr.  Lynch,  Mr.  S  Adams,  and  the  mS 
from  New-York,   be  a  Committee  to^onfider' 
what  ports  are  neceffary  to  be  occupied Tn  the  Pn 
lony  of  New-York,  and  ,ha£  they  be  defirtd  ?: 
report  as  fpeedily  as  poffible.  ^  ^^  *° 

refdff'lrriT'-''''  "''l,Congrefs  will  to-morrow 

tatsih^n?   r'f  ?  ^TT'^  °f  the  whole,  to 
taki  Mo  confxderation  the  ftate  of  America 

Adjourned  to  9  o'clock  to-morr:-w. " 

TUESDAY,  Mav  16,  177^ 

A  Mr^"^"''^'  "?*'  according  to  adjournment. 
A  Memorial  from  Robert  and  John  Murrar 
of  New- fork,  was  laid  before  the  Congrefs  2l 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

H  ... 

Aareeabie 


.1 


]/ 


(    50    ) 

Agrcciblc  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congrefs 
refolyed  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  to 
take  into  confideration  the  ftate  of  America,  after 
fomc  time  fpent  therein,  the  Prefident  refumed 
the  chair,  and  Mr.  Tilghman  reported  from  the 
Committee,  that  they  had  taken  the  matter  re- 
ferred to  them  into  confideration,  but  not  having 
come  to  any  refolution,  defired  him  to  move  for 
leave  to  fit  again. 

Refohed,  That  this  Congrefs  will  to-morrow 
again  refolve  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole^ 
to  take  into  tlfeir  farther  confideration  the  ftate  of 
America. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  12  o'clock. 

WEDNESDAY,  May  17,  177^. 

The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment,, 
and  the  order  of  the  day  being  poftponed  till  to- 
morrow j 

Upon  motion,  Rtfohed  unanimoujly^  That  all 
exportations  to  Quebr  c,  Nova-Scotia,  the  ifland 
of  St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  Georgia,  ex- 
cept" the  parifh  of  St.  John's,  and  to  Eaft  and 
Weft- Florida,  immediately  ccafe,  and  that  no 
provifion  of  any  kind,  or  other  necelTaries,  be 
turniflied  to  the  Britifh  fiftieries  on  the  American 
coafts,  until  it  be  otherwifc  determined  by  the 
Congrefs. 

Ordered,   That  this  be  publifhed  immediately. 
Adjourned  till  to-mcrrow  at  9  o'clock. 

THURSDAY,  May  18,  1775. 
The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Hon.  Stephen  Hopkins,  Efqj  from  Rhode- 
Ifland,  and  Patrick  Henry,  Efq;  from  Virginia, 
attended  and  tock  their  leats  in  Congrefe. 

Vpcn. 


(  $^  ) 

to  hf  ir''^;  -^f  ^r'^'  '^^^^  '^'  r"J«  of  conduft 
tL.  I  -ST^  >n  debating  and  determining  quef- 
tions  laid  down  by  the  laft  Congrefs.  be  adapted 
and  obferved  by  the  prefent  Con|reft.  ^^ 
.  The  Prefident  laid  before  the  Congrefs  fome 
important  intelligence  he  received  laft  night  by 
exprefs,  relative  to  the  furprizing  and  taking  of 

T,(ionderoga,byadetachmentfromMa(rachuf(Jtt's. 
Bay  and  Connecticut,  which  was  read. 

h^Z  T'"'''  ^r^'"^'  ^^^^  ^''  Brown  who 
brought  the  exprefs  be  called  in  :  After  he  with- 

lZ7:.  'h  ^?T'^'  ''^^"S  '"'^  confideration  tht 
ietters  and  intelhgepce  communicated  to  them, 

R^/oM,  Whereas  there  is  indubitable  evidence, 

that  a  defign  is  formed  by  the  Britifli  miniftryj  of 

n^aking  a  cruel  mvafion  from   the  province  of 

.Quebec  upon  thefc  colonies,  for  the  purpofe  of 

have  a(aually  been  taken  to  carry  the  faid  defX 
into  execution ;  and  whereas  feveral  inhabitants 
of  die  northern  Colonies,   refiding  in  the  vicinity 
ot  Ticonderoga,  and  immediately  ^xpofed  to  in- 
curfions  impelled  by  a  juft  regard  for  the  defence 
and  prefervation  of  themfelves  and  their  country, 
men,  from  fuch  imminent  dangers  and  calamities' 
foX?^'"  P°^!^^-n  of  ehat  U  in  whicT  was 
X  ^3^^"^^fy,«{  cannon  and  military  ftores. 
that  would  certainly  have  been  ufed  in  the  intend ' 
cd  invafion  of  thefe  colonies,  this  Congrefs  ear- 
neftly   recommend  it  to  the  Committees  of  the 
cities   and  counties  of  New-York  and  Albany, 
immediately  to  caufe  the  faid  cannon  and  ftores  to 
be   removed   from    Ticonderoga    to    the    fouth 
end  of  |.ake  George,  and,  if  neceffary,    to  apply 
iHJthe  Colonies  of  New-Hampfhire,  xMalTlKhufett's- 

H  - 


if 


i- 


.«^ 


I 


I 

V 


(    ,5«    ) 

Bay  aii^.  jppf^i^edicut,,  for./aeh  an  additional  body 
of  iprcci^a?  .will  ^  JM^icnt  to  cf^abl^%  ;^  ft^Dg 
poft  a|  that  place,  ^a^,cjfp<ftually  tq  /cpfire  the 

faid  cannon^it^d  ftw^,  i'^''  *P  "^^"7  of  them  as  it 
may,  be  ji^dgcd  p^opci^j  to  keep  there— And  that 
jan  p?ca(f|c  apycptQ^y  he  taken  of  all  (uch  cannon 
andjfto'r^s,'  in  order.  tJ^at  jhey  may  be  fafely  rcr 
tur||^d,.  >yHep  the  ref^oiatjon  of  the  former  har- 
mony between  Gre^t .Britain  an^  thefe  Colonies, 
fo  afdgntly  wiihed  for  by  ih?  latter,  ih^ft  render  it 
prudent  and. ebnfiftent-  with  the  over-ruKng  law 
9f  fe,lf-pr?(crvatiDn. 

Rejom^  ij^h^y  this ^Copgrefs,  will,  to-morrow, 
refolve  itiejf  into  a  CprnmitteC'  of  the  whole,  to 
takeiqtafjb^eir,  farther  c^f^di^ration  the  ftatp  of 
America. 

Adjourned  till  to-morro\y  at  9  o'clock. 


'jj^^DAY,  May  19,    1775. 
The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 
""'      ^        iittee  appointed  to  confider  whafe 


The 
poOs  are  uejcejTaj^y.to  b^  occupied  in  the  Colony 
of  N^^-if  ptkj, .  and  by  what  number  of  troops  it 
will  be  proper  they  ih9V»ld  be  gi^ar^cd,  brought 
ii^  thqi" ;i;epprt^  which, h^ng  read,  was  referred  to 
"' c. committee  of  the- whole,  , 

j^greefble  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Con r| 
grefs^j^eiQly^d  themfelvcjs  into  aComm^.tsee  of  the 
whole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  ftate  of  Ame- 
rica,  ^n4.,^p,ptinued  fo  to  do,  from  df^y  to  ^iay,  tUl 
Wednefda}?-  24th,  ,on  v^hich  ciay  the  Hon.  Peyton 
Randolph,  Piefident,  being  under  a  neceliity  of 
returning  homp,  and  havyig_fet,ou^  this  mocning 
early,   the  chair  was  Yacant,  whereupon, 

0;z  motion,  The  Hun*  John  HaBi^Qck,  Efq; .  was 
unanimouliy  chofen  Prefidcnt. 

The 


al  body 

ire  thp 
n  as  it 
nd  that 
cannon 
"ely  rcr 
ler  har- 
clonics, 
snder  it 
ng  :la,w 

lorrow, 
lole,  to 
ftatp  of 


aient. 
r  whafe 
Colony 
roQps  it 
3rpugh^ 
sired  to 

le  Con?| 
2  of  ithe 
f  Ame- 

Peiyton 

^ffity  of 
Qorning 

fq;,wa8 

The 


(.53     ) 

,  Th^.Congrefs  then  re'folved  t-hcmfclves  into  a 
Pommutce  of  th^  whole,  to  take  into  confidcra- 
^lon^he^flqte  of  America,  and  repeated  the  fame 
iOn^^he  day  following.  i    . 

.iiVxPN  FRIDAY,  May  26,   177c. 

^The'Congrcft  being  met  according  to  adjourn- 
tnent,  one  of  the  Delegates  from  New-Jerfey  laid 
before  them  a  minute  from  the  journals  of  the 
AfTeiubly^of  that  Colony,  together  with  a  refolq- 
tion  of  the  Commons  of  Great  Britain,  which 
were  read  as  follows :  '    •    •  ^ 

^NewAjerfey^HoufeofJfembly.May  20,  1775. 

*'  His  Excellency  having  laid  before  the  Houfe 
!!  IJ^"^  "^^  refolution   of  the  honourable 
Houfe  Of  Commons  of  Great  Britain,  of  the 
;;  f^^  of  February.   1775,    containing  a  plan, 
formed  for  the  accommodation  of  the  unhappy 
"  differences  between  our  parent  State  and  the 
**  Colonies;  which  plan,  under  the  prefent  cir^ 
*  cumftances,  this  Houfe  could  not  comply  with 
aod  adopt,   and  yet  this  Houfe  being  delirous 
ot  making  ufe  of  all  proper  means  to  effed  a 
"  reconciliation,  do  recommend  it  to  their  Dele- 
"  gates  to  lay  the  fame  plan  before  the  Continen- 
tal Congrefs  for  their  confideration." 
A  truJe'c^jrom  'the  Journal^ 
,    RICHARD  SMITH,  Clerk  of  Jjfembly 

Copy  of  a  Refolution  of  the  Houfe  cf  Commons, 

Felruary  20,    1775. 
*'  Rfohed,  That  when  the  Governor,  Council 
and  AiT^mbJy,  or  General  Court  of  any  of  his 
u  ^'i,^^y'^  provinces  or  Colonies  in    America, 
**  fhalJ  propofe  to  make  crovifion  i:rrnr.i;no.  tr. 

6  *'  the 


<i 


it 

tc 


<'  the  condition^  circumnrances,  and  fituations 
'"  of  fuch  province  or  colony,  for  contributing 
•*  their  proportion  for  the  common  defence,  (fuch 
**  proportion  to  be  raifed  under  the  authority  of 
the  General  Court  or  General  AlTembly  of  fuch 
province  or  colony,  and  difpofable  by  Parlia- 
ment) and  (hall  engage  to  make  provifion  alfo 
for  the  fupport  of  the  civil  government  and  the 
adminiftration  of  juftice  in  fuch  province  or 
colony,  it  will  be  proper,  if  fuch  propofal 
(hall  be  approved  by  his  Majefty  and  the  two 
houfes  of  Parliament,  and  for  fo  long  as  fuch 
provifion  (hall  be  made  accordingly,  to  forbear, 
in  refpcdt  of  fuch  province  or  colony,  to  levey 
any  duty,  tax  or  a(rc(rment,  except  only  fuch 
duties  as  it  may  be  expedient  to  contirtue  to 
levy  or  to  impofe  for  the  regulation  of  com- 
**  merce,  the  neat  produce  of  the  duties  lafb 
**  mentioned,  to  be  carried  to  the  account  of 
**  fuch  province  or  colony  refpedively  :" 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  referred  to  the 
Committee  for  taking  into  confideration  the  (late 
of  America. 

The  Congrefs  then  refolved  itfelf  into  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  to  take  into  con(ideration 
the  (late  of  America;  after  (bme  time  fpent 
therein  the  Pre(ident  refumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Ward  reported  from  the  Committee,  that  they 
had  come  to  fomc  refolutions  which  he  was  de- 
lired  to  report,  but  not  having  finifhed  the  bufi- 
refs  d^iired  him  to  move  for  leave  to  fit  again. 

The  report  from  the  Committee  being  read, 
the  Congrefs  came  into  the  following  refolu- 
tions, 

Rejchsd 


(< 


tt 


<f 


<( 


*( 


<( 


(t 


<( 


(( 


(< 


(< 


I   ss   ) 

^  Refohed  unanmoujly.  That  his  Majefty's  moft 
faithful  rubjcds  in  thefc  Colonics  arc  reduced  to  a 
dangerous  and  critical  fituation,  by  the  attempts 
of  the  Bntifh  Miniftry  to  carry  into  execution, 
by  force  of  arms,  feveral  unconftitutional  and  op- 
preffive  acSs  of  the  Britifli  Parliament  for  laying 
taxes  in  America  J  to  enforce  the  colledion  of 
thofe  taxes,  and  for  altering  and  changing  the 
Conftiiution  and  internal  police  of  fome  of  thefe 
Colonies,  in  violation  of  the  natural  and  civil  riehts 
of  the  colonifts.  ^ 

TiiT^^^^^^^'"  ^^'"S  a<aually  commenced  in  the 
Maffachufctt's-Bay,  by  the  BritiA  troops  under 
the  command  of  General  Gage,  and  the  lives  of  a 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  Colony  dcftroy- 
cd,  the  town  of  Bofton  having  not  only  been  lon« 
occupied  as  a  garrifoned   town  in  an   enemy'^ 
country,  but  the  inhabitants  thereof  treated  with 
a  feyerity  and  cruelty  not  to  be  juftified  even  to- 
waros   declared  enemies;  large  re-inforcements 
too    bemg   ordered   and   foon   expeded,  for  thp: 
declared  purpofe  of  compelling  thefe  Colonies  to 
fubmit  to  the  operation  of  the  faid  ads;  that- 
therefore,  for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of  fecuring  and 
defending  thefe  Colonies,  and  preferving  them  in 
fafety  againrt  all  attempts  to  carry  the  faid  ads 
into  execution  by  force  of  arms,  thefe  Colonies 
be  immediately  put  into  a  ftate  of  defence. 

But  as  we  moft  ardently  wiOi  for  a  reftoration 
of  the  harmony  formerly  fubfifting  between  our 
mother  country  and  thefe  Colonies,  the  interrup- 
tion of  which  muft,  a^t  all  events,  be  exceedingly 
injurious  to  both  countries,  that  with  a  fmcere 
defign  of  contributing  by  all  the  means  in  our 
power,  not  incompatible  with  a  juft  regard  for 
the  undoubted  rights  and  true  injerefls  of  thefe 


iJ 


-.1 — :_- 


\ 


■  (-56  ) 

Colonies,  to  the  promotidii  of  thi3  mofl:  defircabic 
reconciliation,  an  hunib]jB  and  dutiful  petition  be 
prefented  to  his  MajeOy. 

tiefohedt  That  qieafures  be  entered  into  for 
opening  a  negociation,  irl  order  to  accommodate 
the  unhappy  difputes  fubfifting  between  Great- 
Britain  and  thefe  Colonies,  and  that  this  be  made 
a  part  of  the  petition  to  the  King. 

Refohed  unanimoujly.  That  the  militia  of  New- 
York  be  armed  and  trained,  and  in  conftant  readi- 
nefs  to  aft  at  a  moment's  warning ;  and  that  a 
number  of  men  be  immediately  embodied  and  kept 
in  that  city,  and  fo  difpofed  of  as  to  give  protec- 
tion to  the  inhabitants,  in  cafe  any  infult  fhould 
be  offered  by  the  troops,  that  may  land  there,  and 
to  prevent  any  attempts  that  may  be  made  to  gain 
pofleffion  of  the  city,  and  interrupt  its  inifcrcourfe 
with  the  country. 

Refohed  unanimoujlyy  That  it  be  recommended 
to  the  Provincial  Convention  at  New-York,  to 
perfevere  the  more  vigoroufly  in  preparing  for 
their  defence,  as  it  is  very  uncertain  whether  the 
earncft  endeavours  of  the  Congrefs,  to  accommo- 
date the  unhappy  differences  between  Great-Bri- 
tain and  the  Colonies,  by  conciliatory  raeafures, 
will  be  fuceefsful. 

Upon  motion.  Agreed,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  S. 
Adams,  and  Mr.  Dean,  be  a  Committee  to  pre- 
pare and  bring  in  a  letter  to  the  people  of  Canada. 

Refolvedy  That  this  Congrefs  will  to-morrow 
again  refolvc  itfelf  into  a  Commitee  of  the  whole, 
to  take  into  their  lather  conlideration  the  ftate  of 
America.  « 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 

SATURAY 


(  $y  ) 

iu    ^  ^^.      "^^^  according  to  adjournmeni; 

The  Prefident  laid  before  the  Congrefs  a  letter 
from  the  Convention  of  Ncw-Jcrfey,  which  waS 
read  and  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the  whole. 

Information  being  given,  that  therein  a  gentle- 
man in  town  who  can  give  a  full  ^nd  juft  account 
of  the  ftate  of  affairs  in  Canadii. 

OrJere^,  That  he  be  introduced,  which  was 
done. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draught  a  letter 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  brought  in  the  let- 
ter, which  was  read,  and  after  fome  debate,  re- 
committed  to  the  fame  committee. 

Vpon  motion.  Agreed,  That  Mr.  Wafhin^ton, 
Mr.  Schuyler,  Mr.  Mifflin,  Mr.  Dean,  Mr.  Mor- 
ns, and  Mr.  S.  Adams,  be  a  Committee,  to  con- 
fider  on  ways  and  means  to  fupply  thcfc  Colonies 
with  ammunition  and  military  ftorcs. 

Vpon  motion^  The  memorial  of  Robert  Murray 
and  John  Murray,  «  defiring  to  be  reftored  to 
their  former  fituation  with  refped  to  their  com- 
mercial privileges,"  was  taken  into  confideration. 
and  after  fome  time  fpent  thereon, 

Refolded,  That  where  any  perfon  hath  been  of 
ihall  be  adjudged  by  a  Committee,  to  have  violated 
the  Continental  Affociation,  and  fuch  offender 
fhall  fatisfy  the  Convention  of  the  Colony,  where 
the  Offence  was  or  fhall  be  committed,  or  the 
Committee  of  the  pariOi  of  St.  John's,  in  the  co- 
lony of  Georgia,  if  the  offence  be  committed 
there,  of  his  contrition  for  his  offence,  and  fin- 
ccri  refolution  to  conform  to  the  Affociation  for 
the  future,  the  faid  Convention  or  Committee,  of 
the  parifh  of  St.  John's  aforefaid,  may  fettle  the 

^  terms 


iK- 


V- 


(    58    ) 

terms ;  upon  whtch  he  may  be  reftorcd  to  the 
favdurand  forgivcnefs  of  the  public,  and  that  tlic 
terms  be  publifticd. 

OrderMi  That  this  be  made  public. 

RefoJved,  That  the  order  of  the  day  be  poft- 
poned  till  Monday. 
.  Adjourned  till  Monday  9  o'clock. 

.   i    MONDAY,  May  29,  1775. 
The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 
'  The  Committee  to  whom  the  letter  to  the  in- 
habitants of  Canada  was  re-committed,  brought* 
in  the  fame,  was  read  and   approved,  and   is  a# 
follows :  ' 

/      To  the  M^efed  INHABITANTS  of  CANADA. 

Friends  and  Countrymen,  ■ 

Alarmed  by  the  defigns  of  an  arbitrary  miniftry 
to  extirpate  the  rights  and  liberties  of  all  Ame- 
rica,, a  fenfe  of  common  danger  confpired  with 
the  di(ftatcs  of  humanity,  in  urging  us  to  call 
your  attention,  by  our  late  Addrefs,  to  this  very 
important  objedl. ,  ^  . 

Since  the  conclufion  of  the  late  war,  wc  have 
been  happy  in  confidering  you  as  fellow  fubje(?i:s, 
and  fronpi  the  commencement  of  the  prefent  plan^ 
for  fubjugating  the  Continent,  we  have  viewed 
you  as  fellow -fufFcrers  with  us.  As  we  were  both 
entitled  by  the  bounty  of  an  indulgent  Creator  to 
freedom,  and  being  both  devoted,  by  the  cruel 
edidts  of  a  defpotic  adminiftration,  to  common 
fuin,  we  perceived  the  fate  of  the  proteilant 
and  catholic  Colonies  to  be  ftrongly  linked  toge- 
ther, and  therefore  invited  you  to  join  with  us  in 

refolving 


•(  -59    ) 
trefolving  to  be  free,  and  i/i  rejedting,  wtth  difdain, 
the  fetters  of  flavery,  however  artfully  poli(hed. 

We  mofl:  finccrel/ condole  with  you  on  the  ar- 
rival of  that  day,  in  the  courfe  of  which,  the  fun 
could  not  (hine  on  a  finglc  free-man  in  all  your 
extenfive  dominion.     Be  ^flured  that  your  unme- 
rited degration  has  engaged  the  moft  unfeigned 
pity  of  your  fifter  Colonies  i  and  we  flatter  our- 
felvcs  you  will  not,  by  tamely  hearing  the  yoke, 
fuffer  that  pity  to  be  fupplanted  by  contempt. 
;  When  hardy  attempts  are  made  to  deprive  men 
of  rights  beftowed  by  the  Almighty,  when  ave- 
nues are  cut  through  the  moft  folemn  compads 
for  the  admiffion  of  defpotifm,  when  the  plighted 
faith  of  government  ceafes  to  give  fecurity  to  loyal 
and  dutiful  fubjedls ;  and  when  the  infidious  ftra- 
tagems  and   manceuvres   of  peace   become  more 
terrible  than  the  fanguinary  operations  of  war,  it 
is  high  time  for  them  to  aflert  thofe  rights,  and, 
with  honeft  indignation,  oppofe  the  torrent  of 
pppreflion  rufliing  in  upon  them. 
r    By  the  intrpdudtion  of  your  prefent  form  of  go- 
vernment, or  rather  prefent  form  of  tyranny,  you 
and  your  wives  and  your  children  are  made  flaves. 
You  have  nothing  that  you  can  call  your  own,  and 
all  the  fruits  of  your  labour  and  induftry  may  be 
taken  from  you,  whenever  an  avaricious  Governor 
and  a  rapacious  Council  may  incline  to  demand 
them.     You  are  liable  by  their  edidts  to  be  tranf- 
ported  into  foreign  countries,  to  fight  battles,  in 
which  you  have  no  iniereft,  and  to  fpill  your  blood 
in  conflicts  from  which  neither  honour  nor  emo- 
lument can  be  derived :  Nay,   the  enjoyment  of 
your  very  religion,  on  the  prefent  fyftcm,  depends 

1  2  '  on 


V 
I* 


(      «0      ) 

on  a  Icgiflaturc,  in  which  you  have  no  fharc,  and 
over  which  you  have  no  controul,  and  your  Pricfts 
arc  cxpofed  to  cxpulfion,  banifhment  and  ruin, 
when  ever  their  wealth  and  pofTcffions  furniih 
fufficicnt  temptation.  They  cannot  be  furcfthat 
a  virtuous  Prince  will  always  fill  the  Throne,  and 
ihould  a  wicked  or  a  carelefs  King  concur  with  a 
wicked  Miniftry  in  extracting  the  treafurc  and 
ftrength  of  your  country,  it  is  impoflible  to  con- 
ceive to  what  variety  and  to  what  extremes  of 
wrctchednefs  you  may,  under  the  prefent  cfta- 
blifliment,  be  reduced. 

We  are  informed  yfu  have  already  been  called 
upon  to  vvafte  your  lives  in  a  conteft  with  us. 
Should  you,  by  complying  in  this  inftance,  aflcnt 
to  your  new  eftablifhrnent,  and  a  war  break  out 
with  France,  your  wealth  and  your  fons  may  be 
fent  to  periih  in  expeditions  againft  their  iflands 
in  the  Weft-Indies. 

It  cannot  be  prefumed  that  thofe  confiderations 
will  have  no  weight  with  you,  or  that  you  are  (o 
loft  to  all  fenfe  of  honour.  We  can  never  believe 
that  the  prefent  race  of  Canadians  are  fo  degene- 
rated as  to  profefs  neither  the  fpirit,  the  gallantry, 
or  the  courage  of  their  anceftors.  You  certainly 
will  not  permit  the  infamy  and  difgrace  of  fuch 
pufillanimity  to  reft  on  your  own  heads,  and 
the  confequences  of  it  on  your  children  forever. 

We  for  our  parts  are  determined  to  live  friee  or 
not  at  all,  and  are  rcfolved  that  pofterity  (hall  ne- 
ver reproach  us  with  having  brought  flaves  into 
the  world. 

Permit  us  again  to  repeat  that  we  are  your 
friends,  not  your  enemies*  and  be  not  impofed 
upon  by  thcfe,  who  may  endeavour  to  create  ani- 
mofities.     The  taking  of  the  fort  and  military 

ftores 


(    6t     ) 

ftorcs  at  Tlcondcroga  and  Crown-Point,  and  the 
armed  vcflcls  on  the  lake,  was  diftated  by  the 
great  law  of  rdf-prcfcrvation.  They  were  in- 
tended to  annoy  us,  and  to  cut  off  that  friendly 
intercourfc  and  communication,  which  has  hi- 
therto fubfiftcd  between  you  and  u5.  We  hope  it  has 
given  you  no  uneafmcfs,  and  you  may  rely  on  our 
affurance,  that  ilicfc  Colonies  will  purfue  no  raea- 
furcs  whatever,  but  fuch  as  friendfhip  and  a  re- 
gard for  our  mutual  fafety  and  intercft  may  fuggeft. 

As  our  concern  for  your  welfare  entitles  us  to 
your  fricndfliip,  we  prefume  you  will  not,  by 
doing  us  injury,  reduce  us  to  the  difagreeablc  ne- 
ceffity  of  treating  you  as  enemies. 

We  yet  entertain  hopes  of  your  uniting  with 
us  in  the  defence  of  our  common  liberty,  and 
there  is  yet  reafon  to  believe,  that  ftiould  we  join 
in  imploring  the  attention  of  our  Sovereign,  to 
the  unmerited  and  unparalleled  oppreflions  of  his 
American  fubje^Vs,  he  will  at  length  be  undeceiv- 
ed, and  forbid  a  licentious  Miniftry  any  longer  to 
riot  in  the  ruins  of  the  Rights  of  mankind." 

Ordered,  That  the  above  letter  be  (igned  by  the 
Prefident. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dickinfon  and  Mr.  Mufllin 
be  a  Committee  to  get  the  letter  tranflated  into 
the  French  language,  and  to  have  one  thoufand 
copies  of  it,  fo  tranflated,  printed,  in  order  to  be 
fent  to  Canada  and  difperfcd  among  the  inhabi- 
tants there. 

Upon  motion,  Refohed,  That  no  provifions  or 
neceflaries  of  any  kind  be  exported  to  the  Ifland 
of  Nantucket,  except  from  the  Colony  of  Mafl*a- 
chufetts-Bay,  the  Convention  of  which  Colony 
is  defired  to  take  meafures  for  efFeftually  provide 
ing  the  faid  ifland,  upon  their  application  to  pur- 


t/' 


(      62      ) 

ch&k  the  ikme,  with  as  much  provifion,  as  ihali 
be  necefiary  for  its  internal  ufe  and  no  more. 
,  The  Congrefs  deeming  it  of  great  importance 
to  North- America,  that  the  Britilh  fifliery  (hould 
not  be  furnilhed  with  provifions  from  the  Conti- 
nent through  Nantucket,  earneftly  recommend 
a  vigilant  execution  of  this  refolve  to  all  Com- 
mittees.* 

Ordered,  That  the  above  refolve  be  immediately 
publiihed. 

^  As  the  prefent  critical  fituation  o\  the  Colonies 
jrqnders  it  highly  neceflary  that  ways  and  means 
i!>ould  be  devifed  for  the  fpeedy  and  fecure  con- 
veyance of  intelligence  from  one  end  of  the  Con- 
tinent to  the  other, 

Refoked,  That  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr.  Lynch,  Mr. 
Lee,  Mr.  Willing,  Mr.  S.  Adams,  and  Mr.  P. 
Livingfton,  be  a  Committee  to  confider  the  beft 
means  of  eftabliihing  pofls  for  conveying  letters 
and  intelligence  through  this  continent. 

Refohedy  That  the  order  of  the  day  be .  poft- 
poned  till  to-morrow. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


TUBS  DAY,     May  30,   1775. 

The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Member  informed  the  Congrefs,  that  a  Gen- 
tleman juft  arrived  from  London,  had  brought 
with  him  a  paper,  which  he  fays  he  received  from 
Lord  North,  and  which  was  written,  at  the  de- 
fine of  his  Lordfhip,  by  Mr.  Gray  Cooper,  Un- 
der-Secretary to  thfe  Treafury,  and  as  the  Gentle- 
man underftood  it  to  be  his  Lordfliip's  defire  that 

r..  /I u  L^    ;_-^_j   ^_    xi...  o r-     r__ 

that 


I,  as  ihall 
lorc. 

iportance 
ry  (hould 
le  Conti- 
rommend 
all  Com- 

nediatdy 

Colonies 
id  mean^ 
:ure  con- 
the  Con- 

nch,  Mr. 
i  Mr.  P. 

•  the  beft 
tig  letters 

be.poft- 


5- 

rnment. 

It  a  Gen- 
brought 
ved  from 
t  the  de- 
jer,  Un- 
i  Gentle- 

efire  that 
r-     r__ 

that 


(  63  )  , 

that  purpofe  he  had  put  it  into  his,  hands.  The 
Member  farther  ohferved,  that  he  had  (hewn  ^htf 
paper  to  a  Member  near  him,  who  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Codper,' 
and  that  he  verily  believes  the  paper  was  written 
by  Mr.  Cooper. 

The  paper  being  read,  is  as  follows  :  ' 

_        ,  ,  '  »         *  / 

That  it  is  earneftly  hoped  by  all  the  real  friends 
of  the  Americans^  that  the  terms  exprelTed  in  the 
Refolution  of  the  20th  of  Feb.  1  aft,  will  be  ac- 
cepted by  all  the  Colonies,  who  have  the  leaft  af- 
fedion  for  their  King  and  country,  Or  a  juft  fenfe 
of  their  own  intereft. 

That  thefe  terms  are  honourable  for  Great- 
Britain,  and  fafe  for  the  Colonies. 

That  if  the  Colonies  are  not  blinded  by  fadlion, 
thefe  terms  will  remove  every  grievance  relative 
to  taxation,  and  bethe  bafis  of  a  compaft  between 
the  Colonies  and  the  Mother  Country. 

That  the  people  in  America  ought,  on  every 
confideration,  to  be  fatisfied  with  them. 

That  no  further  relaxation  can  be  admitted. 

The  temper  and  fpirit  of  the  nation  arc  (o 
much  againft  concefTions,  that  if  it  were  the  in- 
tention of  Adminiftration,  they  cpald  not  carry 
the  queftron. 

But  Adminiftration  have  no  fuch  intention,  as 
they  are  fully  and  firmly  perfuaded,  that  further 
conceffions  would  be  injurious  to  the  Colonies  as 
well  as  to  Great-Britain. 

That  there  is  not  the  leaft  probability  of  a 
change  of  Adminiftration. 

That  they  are  perfectly  united  in  opinion,  and 
determined  to  purfue  the  moft  effectual  meafures, 
and  to  ufe  t^f  wh'^le  fr>i-r.«  «f  ♦u^  1.:^ — i —   :r:^ 

be 


»v 


(   H   ) 

fee  found  neccfTary,  to  reduce  the  rebellious  and 
f^fradory  Provinces  £snd  Colonics. 

There  is  fo  great  a  fpirit  in  the  nation  againfl 
the  Congrefs,  that  the  people  will  bear  the  tem- 
porary diftrefles  of  aftoppagc  of  the  American  trade. 

They  may  depend  on  this  to  be  true. 

Ordered,.  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Con- 
grefs r?folved  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the 
whole,  to  take  into  confideration  the  ftate  of 
America,  and  continued  fo  to  do  the  day  follow- 
ingy  when  after  fome  time,  the  Prefident  refumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Ward  reported  from  the 
Committee,  that  they  had  proceeded  in  the  buli- 
nefs,  but  not  having  come  to  a  conclufion,  de- 
fired  him  to  move  for  leave  to  fit  again. 

Refohed,  That  this  Congrefs  will  to-morrow 
again  refolve  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whok, 
to  take  into  their  farther  confideration  the  Aate 
of  America. 

.  A  letter  from  Col,  Arnold,  dated  Crown-Point, 
May  23,  1775,  was  ^aid  before  the  Congrefs,  in- 
forming, tnat  he  had  certain  intelligence,  that 
•*  on  the  19th  there  were  then  400  regulars  at  St. 
John's,  making  all  poflible  preparation  to  crofs 
the  lake,  and  expedlcd  to  be  joined  by  a  number 
of  Indians,  with  a  defign  of  retaking  Crown-Point 
and  Ticonderoga,"  and  carneftly  calling  for  a 
reinforcement  and  fupplics.  This  letter  being 
taken  into  confideration. 

Refolvedt  That  the  governor  of  Connedicut  be 
requefted  immediately  to  fend  a  ftrong  reinforce- 
ment to  the  garrifons  of  Crown-Point  and  Ticon- 
deroga, and  that  fo.many  of  the  cannon  and  other 
Acres  be  retained,  as  may  be  neceflary  for  the  im- 
mediate defence  of  thofc  pods,  until  further  order 

from 


ious  and 

1  againfl 
the  tcm- 
an  trade. 


he  Con- 
of  the 
ftate  of 
follow- 
refumed 
rom   the 
the  bull- 
ion, de- 

-  morrow 
e  whole, 
the  Aate 

n-Point, 
rrefs,  in- 
ice,  that 
ars  at  St. 
to  crofs 
number 
irn-Point 
ig  for  a 
er  being 

fticut  be 
;inforce- 
l  Ticon- 
nd  other 
r  the  im- 
ber  order 
from 


(    6j    ) 

from  this  Congrefs,  and  that  the  Provincial  Con- 
vention of  New- York  be  informed  of  this  Refolve, 
and  deiircd  to  furnifli  thofe  troops  with  provifions 
and  other  necefTary  (lores,  and  to  take  effectual  care 
that  a  fufficient  number  of  Battcaus  be  immediately 
provided  for  the  lakes. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  refolve  be  immediately 
tranfmitted  in  a  letter  by  the  Prefident,  to  Governor 
Trumbull  and  the  Convention  at  New- York. 

Ordered^  That  the  Prefident  in  his  letter  acquaint 
Governor  Trumbull  that  it  is  the  defire  of  the  Con- 
grefs that  he  (hould  appoint  a  perfon,  in  whom  he 
can  confide,  to  command  the  forces  at  Crown- 
Point  apd  Ticonderoga. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 

t 

'      T  H  U  R  S  D  A  7,    June  i,    1775. 

The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  confider  ways  and 
means  to  fupply  thefc  Colonies  with  ammunition 
and  military  ftores,  brought  in  their  report,  which 
was  read  and  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the 
whole. 

Upon  motion,  Refohed^  That  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  government  of  Connedicut,  or  the 
General  of  the  forces  of  that  Colony,  to  appoint 
Commiflaries  to  receive  at  Albany  and  forward  the 
fupplies  of  provifions,  for  the  forces  on  Lake 
Champlain,  from  the  Provincial  Convention  of 
New- York,  and  that  the  faid  Convention  ufe  their 
utmoft:  endeavours  in  facilitating  and  aiding  the 
tranfportation  thereof,  from  thence  to  where  the 
laid  CopimifTaries  may  dired:. 

K  As 


^. 


r 


/ 


•/ 


1/ 


(    66    ) 

As  this  Congrcfs  has  nothing  more  in  view  than 
the  defence  of  thefe  Colonies, 

Refohed,  That  no  expedition  or  incurfion  ought 
to  be  undertaken  or  made,  by  any  Colony  or  body 
of  Colonifts,  againft  or  into  Canada  j  and  that  this 
Refolvebe  immediately  tranfmitted  to  the  comman- 
der of  the  forces  at  Ticonderoga. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  Refolve  be  tranflated 
into  the  French  language,  and  tranfmitted,  with 
the  letter,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada. 

Ordered,  That  the  Piefideiit  tranfmit  a  co^-y  of 
the  above  to  New-York,  and  the  other  Colonies 
bordering  on  Canada. 

A  petition  from  the  committee  reprefenting  the 
people  in  that  part  of  Augufta  county,  in  the  Co- 
lony of  Virginia,  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountain,  was  laid  before  the  Congrefs  and  read, 
intimating  **  fears  of  a  rupture  with  the  Indians, 
on  account  of  Lord  Dunmore's  condudt,"  and  de- 
firing  "  Commiflioners  from  the  colony  of  Virginia, 
and  province  of  Pennfylvania,  to  attend  a  meeting 
of  the  Indians  at  Pittiburg,  i  behalf  of  thefe 
Colonies." 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  referred  to  the  De- 
legates of  the  Colonies  of  Virginia  and  PennfylT 
vania. 

The  Congrefs  then,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the 
day,  refolvtd  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole, 
to  take  into  confideration  the  Oate  of  America,  and 
after  fome  time  fpent  therein,  the  Prefident  refumed 
the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Ward  reported  from  the  Com- 
mittee, that  they  had  taken  the  matters  referred  to 
them  into  confideration,  but  not  having  yet  come 
to  a  conclufion,  defircd  him  to  move  for  leave  to  fii 
again. 

Refohed^ 


thaii 


(  67  ) 

Refohed^  That  this  Congfefs  will  to-morrow  again 
refolvc  itfcif  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  to 
take  into  their  farther  icoofideration  the  ftate  of 
America.  '^^^ 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


FRIDAY,    June  2,    1775. 

The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Prefident  laid  before  the  Congrefs  a  letter 
from  the  Provincial  ConvtMition  of  Maflachufett's- 
Bay,  dated  May  16,  v/hichwas  read,  fetting  forth 
the  difficulties  they  labour  under,  for  want  of  a  re- 
gular form  of  government,  and  as  they  and  the 
other  Colonies  are  now  compelled  to  raife  an  army 
to  defend  themfelves  from  the  butcheries  and  devaf- 
tations  of  their  implacable  enemies,  which  renders 
it  ftill  more  neceflary  to  have  a  regular  eftablifhed 
government,  requefting  the  Congrefs  to  favour  them 
with  "  explicit  advice  refpeding  the  taking  up  and 
exercifing  the  powers  of  civil  government,"  and 
declaring  their  readiiiefs  to  "  fubmit  to  fuch  a  ge- 
neral plan  as  the  Congrefs  may  direct  for  the  Colo- 
nies, or  make  it  their  great  ftudy  to  eftablifli  fuch  a 
form  of  government  there,  as  fhall  not  only  pro- 
mote their  advantage,  but  the  union  and  intereft  of 
all  America. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table  for  firther  con- 
iideration. 

Dodor  Benjamin  Church  being  dlredled  by  the 
Convention  of  MafTachufett's-Bay,  to  confer  with 
the  Congrefs  refpedliing  fuch  other  ma^tters,  as  may 
be  neceflary  to  the  defence  of  that  Colony,  and  par- 
ticularly the  ftate  of  the  army  therein. 


f^^J^^y^J         T"l,  , 


\J-t  UCf  Hi 


U_    U, 


a.  liui  iic  uc  iiiLi 


I.- 1 

'uuU(.cr 


K  2 


After 


V     \ 


After  he  withdrew,  an  exprefs  arriving  with  dii- 
patches  from  Maffachufett's-Bay,  thePrefident  laid 
before  the  Congrefs  letters  from  the  Conventions  of 
that  Colony  and  New-Hamp(hire,  alfo  from  Go- 
vernor Trumbull,  which  were  read. 

Upon  Motion,  RefeheJ,  That  no  bill  of  ex- 
change, draught  or  order  of  any  officer  in  the  army 
or  navy,  their  agents  or  contradors,  be  received  or 
negotiated,  or  any  money  fupplied  to  them  by  any 
perfon  in  America. 

That  no  provifions  or  necelTaries  of  any  kind,  Le 

furnifhed  or  fupplied  to  or  for  the  ufe  of  the  Britifh 
army  or  navy,  in  the  colony  of  Mafiachufett's-Bay. 

That  no  vefTel  employed  in  tranfporting  Britilh 
troops  to  Amerjca,  or  from  one  part  of  North- 
America  to  another,  or  warlike  ftores  or  provifions 
for  faid  troops  be  freighted  or  furniflied  with  provi- 
fions or  any  neceffaiks,  until  further  orders  from 
this  Congrefs. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  refolves  be  immediately 
publifhed. 

The  order  of  the  day  being  poftponed,  the  Con- 
grefs adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


SATURDAY,    June  3,    1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New- York, 
together  with  fundry  letters  and  papers  enclofed, 
from  Albany,  were  laid  before  the  Congrefs  and 
read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  letter  from  the  Convention  of  Maffachufett's, 
dated  the  i6th  of  May,  being  again  read. 

*  Refotvedf 


(    ^9     ) 

Ttefched,  That  a  Committee  of  iiveperfons  be  chofen 
to  confider  the  fame,  and  report  what  in  their  opinion 
IS  the  proper  advice  to  be  given  to  that  Convention. 

The  follovi^ing  perfons  were  chofen  by  ballot,  to 
compofe  that  Committee,  viz.  Mr.J.Rutledge,  Mr. 
Johnfon,  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Wilfon,  and  Mr.  Lee. 

Rejohed,  That  a  Committee  of  five  be  appoint- 
ed, to  draught  a  petition  to  the  King. 

That  another  Committee  of  three  be  appointed 
to  prepare  an  addrefs  to  the  inhabitants  of  Great- 
Britain. 

That  another  Committee  of  four  be  appointed 
to  prepare  an  addrefs  to  the  people  of  Ireland. 

That  another  Committee  of  three  be  appointed 
to  bring  in  the  draught  of  a  letter  to  the  inhabit 
tants  of  Janiaica, 

That  another  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to 
bring  in  an  eftimate  of  money  necefTary  to  be  raifed. 

The  Congrefs  then  proceeded  to  chufe  by  ballot 
thefeveral  Committees,  when  Mr.  Dickinfon,  Mr. 
Johnfon,  Mr.  J.  Rutledge,  Mr.  Jay,  and  Mr. 
Franklin,  were  eledied  to  compofe  the  firft ;  Mr. 
Lee,  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingfton,  and  Mr.  Pendleton,' 
for  the  fecond  5  Mr.  Duane,  Mr.  W.  Livingfton! 
Mr.  S.  Adams,  and  Mr.  J.  Adams,  for  the  third  ; 
Mr.  Hooper,  Mr.  Wilfon,  and  Mr.  Lynch,  for 
the  fourth  ;  and  Mr.  Wafhington,  Mr.  Schuyler, 
Mr.  Deane,  Mr.  Cufhing,  and  Mr.  Hughes,  for 
the  fifth. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  nine  o'clock. 
On  Monday  and  Tuefday  the  Congrefs  met  and 
adjourned,  to  give  the  Committees  time  to  bring  in 
their  report. 

WEDNESDAY,  June  7,  1775. 
The  Congrefs  met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Committee  appointed  to  make  an  eftimate 

of 


< 


i 


I 
iiU. 


(    7°    ) 
6f  the  money  ncceflary  to  be  raifed,  brought  in 
their  report,  which  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  whole. 

On  motion f  Refohed,  That  Thurfday  the  20th  of 
July  next,  be  oblerved  throughout  the  Twelve  Uni- 
ted Colonies  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fafting  and 
prayer,  and  that  Mr.  Hooper,  Mr.  J.  Adams,  and 
Mr.  Paine,  be  a  Committee  to  bring  in  a  rcfolvc  for 
that  purpofe. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  advice  in 
anfwer  to  the  letter  from  the  Convention  of  Mafla- 
thufett's-Bay,  brought  in  their  report,  which  was 
lead  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  for  confideration. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congrefs 
fefolved  themfclves  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole, 
to  take  into  their  farther  confideration  the  ftate  of 
America ;  after  fome  time  fpent  thereon,  the  Pre- 
"fident  refumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Ward  reported 
that  the  Committee  had  proceeded  in  the  bufinefs 
teferred  to  them,  but  not  having  come  to  a  conclu- 
fioii,  delired  him  to  move  for  leave  to  fit  again. 

Refohed^  That  this  Congrefs  will  to-morrow 
again  refolve  themfclves  into  a  Committee  of  the 
whole,  to  take  into  tbeir  farther  confideration  the 
ftate  of  America.  And  that  this  be  a  (landing  or- 
der till  the  bufinefs  is  compleated.      ^ 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 
THURSDAY,  June  8,  1775.  " 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congrefs  being  informed  that  a  Major 
Skene,  with  fome  other  officers,  who  arrived  laft 
evening  in  a  veflel  from  London,  were,  with  their 
papers,  in  the  cuftody  of  the  troops  of  this  city ; 
ihat  the  faid  Skene  has  lately  been  appointed  Go- 
vernor of  the  forts  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point  :  that  one  of  the  officers  with  him  is  a  lieu- 
tenant 


3ught  in 
:heCom- 

;  20th  of 
elve  Uni- 
ting and 
amSj  and 
efolvc  for 

advice  in 
3f  Mafla- 
lich  was 
rderation. 
Congrefs 
ic  whole, 
;  ftate  of 
the  Pre- 
reported 
;  buiinefs 
a  conclu- 
agaln. 
I- morrow 
e  of  the 
ation  the 
iding  or- 


7S' 

a  Major 
■ived  laft 
^ith  their 
his  city  j 
nted  Go- 
d  Crown 
is  a  lieu- 
tenant 


(     71     ) 

tenant  in  the  regulars  now  in  the  province  of  Que- 
bec; and  moreover,  that  thefaid  Skene  had  decla- 
red, that  he  has  authority  to  rai(e  a  regiment  in  A- 
mericai  from  all  this,  apprehending  that  the  faid 
Skene  is  a  dangerous  partizan  of  A.iminiftration, 
and  that  his  papers  may  contain  intelligenc*  of  mi- 
nifterial  deligns  againft  America,  very  important  to 
be  known. 

Refahed,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  ex- 
amine the  papers  of  the  faid  Skene  and  LieutenaaU 
in  their  prefence. 

That  the  Committee  confiil  of  Mr.  J.  Adams, 
Mr.  Deane,  and  Mr.  Mifflin. 

That  the  faid  Commictee  be  upon  honour  to 
conceal  vvhatevu-rofa  private  nature  may  come  to 
their  knowledge  by  (uch  examination  ;  and  that 
they  communicate  to  this  Congrefs  what  they  (hall 
difcover  iclijtivc  to  the  prefent  difpute  between 
Great  Brijam  and  America. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  being  fpent  in  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  on  the  ftate  of  America,  th© 
Congrefs  adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock, 

FRIDAY,  June  9,   1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  letter  from 
the  Convention  of  MaiTachufett's-Bay  being  again 
read,  the  Congrefs  came  ro  ihs  following  refolution  ; 

Refohed^  That  no  obedience  being  due  to  the 
Ad  of  Parliament  for  altering  the  Charter  of  the 
Colony  of  Maffachufett's-Bay, "nor  to  the  Governor 
or  Lieutenant  Goverpor,  w'ho  will  not  obferve  the 
diredlions  of,  but  endeavour  to  fubvert  that  Charter, 
the  Governor  and  Ivt-Governor  of  that  Colony  are 
to  be  confidered  as  abfent,  and  their  offices  vacant ; 

and 


ft 


V- 


('' 


,'J 


(    7==    ) 

and  as  there  Is  no  Council  there,  and  the  inconve- 
nicncies  arifing  from  the  fufpenfion  of  the  powers  of 
government  are  intolerable,  efpecially  at   a  time 
when  General  Gage  hath  aduaily  levied  war  and  is 
carrying  on  hoftilities  a^ain't  hi<?Majefty*8  peaceable 
and  loyal  fubjefts  of  thai  ickmy  ,  that,  in  order  to 
conform  as  near  as  may  be   lo  the  fpirit  and  fab^ 
ftance  of  the  Charter,  it  be  recommended  to  the 
Provincial  Convention  to  write  letters  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  feveral  places,  which  are  intituled  to  re- 
prefent^itipn  in  Affembly,  requefting  thcoj  to  chufc 
fuch  reprefentatives,  and  that  the  Aflembly,  when 
chofen,  do  eled:  Counfellorsj  and  that  fuch  Aflem- 
bly or  Council  exercife  the  powers  of  government, 
until  a  Governor  of  his  Majefty's  appointment,  will 
confent  to  govern  the  colony  according  to  its  charter. 
Ordered,  That  the  Prefident  tranlmit  a  copy  of 
the  above  to  the  Convention  of  Maflachufett's-Bay, 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


SATURDAY,  June  10,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Sundry  letters  from  MafTichufett's-Bay,  Ticgn- 
deroga,  Crown-Point,  &c.  being  laid  before  the 
Congrefs,  were  read,  and  the  fame  being  taken 
into  confideration,  the  Congrefs  came  to  the  follow- 
ing Refolutions: 

Re/ohedy  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  feveral 
towns  and  diftridsin  the  colonies  of  Maflkhufett's- 
Bay,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode-Iflufid  and  Provi- 
dence plantations,  Connedicut,  New- York,  and 
the  eaftern  divifion  of  New-Jerfey,  to  coUedl  all  the 

Salt- 


mconve- 
owers  of 
a  time 
'ar  and  is 
leaceable 
order  to 
md  fab- 
d  to  the 
e  inhabi- 
led  to  rc- 
to  chufc 
y,  when 
1  Affem- 
ernment, 
lent,  will 
s  charter, 
I  copy  of 
tt's-Bay, 


^,  Ticon- 
lefote  the 
ing  taken 
le  folio  w- 

:he  fcveral 
ichufett's- 
nd  Provi- 
iTork,  and 
ied  all  the 
Salt- 


ojipatch,  to  the  Pfovincjal  Convention  at  New- 

veiuin  if  ?K  ''=^?'"'"e";J«d  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
Inir  n'.''''°">'  ^^  New- York,  to  have  the 
powder-mills  m  that  colony  put  nnoVuch  a  condi! 
Mon    as  immediately  to  manufacture  into  powder. 

may  be  proct  red  in  the  manner  above  direded. 

That  It  be  recommended  to  the  Committees  of 

onir^'p^'f?"  ofNew-Jerfey,  andoftheco- 

w"  °f  A^/"".^^^?"*'  ^°^«^  ^ou^ties  on  Dela- 
ware and  Maryland,  that  they,  without  delay,  col- 

CO  omes,  and  tranfmu  the  fame  to  the  Committee 

hr  i'  T^  '"?  ^'^""1'  °^  Philadelphia,  to  the  end 
Wn  ^°^^?!''^^^f  "l^y  be  immediately  manufadurcd 
into  Gun-Powder  for  the  ufe  of  the  continent. 

1  hat  n  be  recommended  to  the  Conventions  and 
Committees  of  the  colonies  of  Virginia,  North- 
Carolina  and  South-Carolina,  that  they,  without 
delay  colled  the  Salt-Petre  and  Sulphur  in  their 
refpedive  col^onieF,  and  procure  thefe  articles  to  be 
manufadlured  as  foon  as  poffible  into  Gun-powder 
lor  the  ufe  of  the  continent. 

That  it^be  recommended  to  the  feveral  inhabi- 
tants of  the  United  Colonies,  who  are  polTefled 
of  Salt-Petre  and  Sulphur  for  their  own  ufe,  to  dif- 
Powd  ^"^^°^^  °^  manufaduring  Gun- 

.     That   the  Salt-Petre    and  Sulphur  colleded  in 
confequence  of  the  abo.e  refolves  of  Congrefs,  he 
paid  for  out  of  the  continental  fund 
That  Mr.  Paine,  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr. 

^  Schuyler, 


> 


'   4^ 


\^    \ 


iii 


(    74     ) 
Bchinrlcr,  and  Mr.  Jobnfon,  be  a  Co«nmittfce  to 
dIcvUe  ways  and  n^ans  to^introdvicc  the  awitfwttaw 
oi  Salt-Peire  in  thcfe  colonic«.  . f*j*'^  •  ; 

The  Committee  ior  examining  Governor  Skene  s 
letters,  &c.  Imviag  communicated  to  Congrofs  what 
they  iomA  r(;tative  to  tlio  dilpute  between  Great 
Bcitain  and  there  colonics.  ^ 

Upon  mtioMy  Rcjbhed,  That  Governor  Phihp 
Skene,  Licot,  Patrick  Moncfieff,  and  Mr.  Lundy, 
be  rclealcd  from  their  prcient  confirvcmcnt,  and  per- 
mitted to  go  at  Jarge  any  where  within  eight  miles 
of  the  city  between  Delaware  and  Schuylkil,  on 
their  parole  of  honour  not  to  pafs  ihoTc  limits,  and 
that  they  wiH  bold  na  corpe%>ondence  with  any 
perfon  wh^tfo*v«r,  on  any  political  fubjc(^. 

Thai  Mr.  Gadfden  be  aclded  to  the  Committee 
for  cxaminittg'  Governor  Skene's  papers,  and  that 
faid  Committee  have  it  in  charge  to  execute  the 
above  refolvte. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o*clock. 

,j ... 
MONDAY,  June  i2,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  refolutio* 
for  a  Faft.  bi  ought  in  their  report,  wbkh  being 
read,  was  agreed  to  as  folio wa: 

As  the  Great  Governor  of  the  World,  by  his  fu- 
prcme  and  univerfal  Providence,  not  only  conducts 
the  courfe  of  nature  with  unerring  wifdomand  rec- 
titude, but  frequently  influences  the  minds  of  men 
to  ferve  the  wife  and  gracious  purpofes  of  his  pro- 
vidential Government  j  and  it  being  at  all  times  our 
.indilpenfibie  duty  devoutly  to  acknowledge  hi«  fu- 
pcrintcndirg  Providence,  efpccially  in  times  of  im- 


nittfce  to 

,dji:i ;.  -■ 
■  Skene's 
[Tofs  what 
en  Great 

5r  Philip 
r.  Lundy, 
and  per- 
ight  miles 
tylkil,  on 
mils,  and 
with  any 
I. 

'ommittee 
,  and  that 
fecute  the 

:k. 


,  refolutioii 
lich  being 

by  his  fu- 
ly  condu^s 
m  and  rec- 
tids  of  men 
)f  his  pro- 
11  times  our 
dge  hi«  (u- 
imes  of  im- 

nano  inrr 


X  n  ^ 

fctiSrtg  danger  and  public  calamity,  to  fcVtrertOe 
and  adore  his  immutable  jufticc,  as  well  as  to  hn* 
plorc  has  merciful  intcrpofuion  for  our  delivcrattce* 

ThisCongrefs,  thtrcibre,  confidcringthc  prefent  cri- 
tical alarming  and  calamitous  ftatc  of  rhefe  CdonieJ, 
doearncftly  recommend  that Thurfday,  rfie  2oth  day 
of  July  next,  be  obfcrvcd  by  the  inhabitants  of  all 
the  Englifh  Colonies  on  this  continent,  as  a  day  of 
public  Humiiiatiorr,  Fading  afld  Prayer;  thatt»« 
may,  with  united  hearts  a«d  voices,  unfcigncdiy 
confefs  and  deplore  our  many  fins  j  and  ofief  up 
our  joint  fupplications  to  the  all-wife,  omnipotent 
and   mesrcirul  difpofer  of  al!  events,  humbly  bt* 
feecWng  him  to  forgire  our  ii^iquititfs,  to  remove 
our  prefent  calamities^    to  avert   thofe  defolating 
judgments,  with  which  we  arc  threatened,  and  to 
blels  our  rightful  Sovereign  King  George  the  Third, 
and  infpire  him  with  wifdom  to  difcern  and  purfuc 
the  true  inttreft  of  his  fubjeQs,  that  a  fpeedy  end 
may  be  put  to  the  citil  difcord  between  Great-Bri- 
tain and  the  American  Colonies  without  further  ef* 
fufion  of  blood :  And  that  the  Britifh  nation  may 
be  influenced  te  regard  tbe  things  that  behng  to  her 
peace  ^  before  they  are  hid  from  her  eyes:  fhat  thefe 
Cobnies  may  ever  b6  under  the  care  and  proteflioft 
of  a  kind  Providence,  and  be  profpered  in  all  their 
interefts :  That  the  divmc  bleffing  may  dcfcend  and 
reft  upon  all  our  civil  rulers,  and  upon  the  repre* 
fentatives  of  the  people  in  their  feveral  Aflemblies 
and  Conventions,  that  they  may  be  directed  to  wife 
and  effedual  meafures  for  prefer ving  the  union  and 
fecuring  the  juft  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Colo- 
nies :  That  virtue  and  true  religion  may  revive  and 
flourifli  throughout  our  land  :  And  that  all  America 

La  may 


t 


(    76    ) 

may  Coon  behold  a  gracious  interpofition,  of  H«aven 
for  the  redrefs  of  her  many  grievances,  the  refto- 
ration  of  her  invaded  rights,  a  reconciliation  with 
.the  parent;  ftate,  on  terms  conftitutionai  and  ho- 
nourable to  both  :  And  that  her  civil  and  religious 
privileges  may  be  fecured  to  the  lateft  pofterity. 
{  .  And  it  is  recommended  to  Chriftians  of  ail  deno- 
minations to  aiTemble  for  public  worfhip,  and  to 
abftain  froiji  fcryile  labour  and  recreation  on  faid 
day. 

Ordered^  That  a  copy  of  the  above  be  figned  by 
the  Prefident,  and  attefted  by  the  Secretary,  and 
publiihed  in  the  news-papers  and  in  hand-bills. 

The  Congrefs  then  refolved  itfelf  into  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  whole,  to  take  into  confideration  the 
ways  and  means  of  raifing  money,  and  having  fpent 
thereon  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  the  day  fol- 
lowing, adjourned  till  Wednefday  at  9  o'clock. 
WEDNESDAY,   June  14,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
.  Agreeable  to  the  landing  order  of  the  day,  the 
Congrefs  refolved  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the 
whole,  to  take  into  confideration  the  ftate  of  Ame- 
rica, and  afier  fome  time  fpent  thereon,  the  Prefi- 
denc  refumed  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Ward  reported 
that  the  Committee  had  come  to  certain  refoluti- 
ons,  which  he  was  ordered  to  report,  but  not  hav- 
ing come  to  a  conclufion,  they  defired  him  to  move 
for  leave  to  fit  again. 

The  Refolutions  being  read  were  agreed  to  as 
follows: 

Refolved,  That  fix  companies  of  expert  riflemen 
be  immediately  raifed  in  Pennfylvania,  two  in  Ma- 
ryland, and  two  in  Virginia  -,  that  each  company 

con  fill 


"»■ 


Heaven 

le  refto- 
ion  with 
and  ho- 
reiigious 
irity. 
,il  deno- 
and  to 
on  faid 

Igned  by 
ary,  and 
>ills.  s 
a  Com- 
ition  the 
ing  fpent 
day  fol- 
lock. 

5. 

day,  the 
e  of  the 
of  Ame- 
he  Prefi- 
rcported 
refoluti- 
not  hav- 
i  to  move 

:ed  to  as 

:  riflemen 
^o  in  Ma- 
company 
con  fill 


(  f?  ) 

confift  of  a  Captain,  three  Lieutenants  f„uf 
Serjeants,  four  Corporals,  a  Drummer  or  trumH 
«r,  and  fixty-eiglit  privates  wumpeti. 

That  tlie  pay  of  the  officers  and  privates  be  as 
folows.  v,z.  a  captain  twenty  dollars  per  monih 
a  lieutenant  thirteen  dollars  and  one  tWrd  oTa  dol 
lar  per  month  5  a  lerjeant  eight  dollars  per  month  ' 
a  corporal  feven  dollars  and  one  third  of  a  do^ar  pe 
month  ,  a  drummer  or  trumpeter  the  fame    p*^^' 
vates  fix  dollars  and  two  thirds   of  a  dolkr  Mr 
month;  to  find  their  own  arms  and  clothes       ^ 

lowTngVord fr™  °'  "'^  '""""-'  ''^  -  "^e  fol- 

rnvfelf  as  »  r.U-  ''"*  't''  '''^  voluntarily  inlifted 
A^lvfn  ■■  '"  "'^  American  Continental 

^aVI  °"? ''"'"•  ""''fs  foonerdifchareed  A  ,ri 
I  do  bmd  myfelf  ,0  conform  in  all  inftanfes  to  tX 
rules  and  regulations,  as  are  or  /hall  be  eftabliS 
for  the  government  of  the  faid  army.  '""''"'"'^ 
Upon  motion  Refohed,  That  a  Committee  of 
five  be  appointed  to  prepare  Rules  and  R,»  1  ? 
for  the  government  of  the  army  ^'S"'^"""' 

A  letter  trom  the  Convention  of  New  v!^T  A  j 
the  ,0th  inftant,  refpeainiavelT.I  i;- t''?''!''^'' 
ped  there,  on  fuVpicion  o^hav.nf  „fs  ."  ^°^ 
<ions  for  the  army  and  rvv  a  Lft  "^  P™"' 
and  referred  to  the  D-Se  of  M  rf  T-  "^^ 
B^y.  Connedlicur,  and  N^w-Yofk     ^    '^"'"' " 


•—•-.- ji: 


f 


(    7^    ) 

-  nefahed.  That  this  Congrcfs  will  to-morrow  a* 
gain  refolve  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole, 
to  take  into  farther  conaderation  the  wa^ps  and 
means  of  raifing  money  and  the  ftate  of  Amenca* 
This  to  be  a  ftanding  order,  until  the  bufinefs  is 

complcaied.  ♦  i    i 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o  clock* 
THURSDAY,  June  15,  1775. 

Met  according  to  ajdournment. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  the  letter  from  the 
Convention  of  New  York  was  referred,  brought 
in  their  report,  which  being  read, 

Rejohedy  That  the  thanks  of  this  Congreis  be 
given  to  the  Convention  of  New  York,  for  their 
vigilance  in  the  cafe  of  Captain  Coffin's  veffel,  and 
that  it  be  recommended  to*  them  that  the  veffel  be 
unloaded,  and  the  cargo  fafely  ttored,  until  alljuft 
ftjfpicions  concerning  the  deftination  of  it  (hall  be 

lemoved. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  tranfmitted  by  the 
Prel^dent,  in  a  letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Con- 
vention of  New  York.  ^  ,     ,  •  nr 

Agreeable  to  order  the  Congreis  refolvcd  itlelf 
into  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  and  after  fome 
time  the  Prefidcnt  refumed  the  chair,  and  Mr, 
Ward  reported,  that  the  Committee  had  come  to 
fome  farther  refolutions,  which  he  was  ordered  to 

report.  . 

The  report  of  the  Committee  being  read  and 

confidered, 

^  Refolved,  That  a  General  be  appointed  to  com- 
mand all  the  Continental  Forces,  raifcd  or  to  be 
raifed  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty. 

Thai  five  hundred  dollars  per  month  be  allowed 
for  the  pay  and  expences  of  the  General. 

*^  ^    •  The 


[    79    ] 

The  Congrefs  then  proceeded  to  tlie  choice  of  a 
General  by  ballet,  and  George  WASHiNGToif 
Efq;  was  unanimoufly  eledted.  >' 

.    Mpxitmdi  till  to-morrow  at  eight  a'clock. 
FRIDAY,   June   i6,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Prefident  informed  Col.  Wafhinpton  that 
the  Congrefs  had  yefterday  unanimoufly  made 
chpicc  of  him  to  be  General  and  Commander  in 
Chief  of  the  American  forces,  and  r^quefted  he 
would  accept  of  that  employnwnt.  To  which  Col. 
-Washington,  flanding  in  his  place,  anfwercd  : 
Mr.  Prefident^ 

"  Though  I  am  truly  fenfibleof  the  high  ho* 
nour  done  me  in  this  appointment,  yet  I  feci  great 
diflrefs,  from  a  confcioufncfs  that  my  abilities  and 
military  experience  may  not  be  equal  to  the  exten- 
five  and  important  truft :  However,  as  the  Con- 
grefs defire  it,  I  will  enter  upon  the  momentous 
duty,  and  exert  every  power  I  pofl'efs  in  their  fer- 
vice,  and  for  fupport  of  the  glorious  caufe.  I  beff 
they  will  accept  my  moft  cordial  thanks  for  this  di- 
flinguifhed  tcftimony  of  their  approbation. 

"  But,  left  fome  unlucky  event  fhould  happen 
unfavourable  to  my  reputation,  I  beg  it  may  be  re- 
membered by  every  gentleman  in  the  room,  that  I 
this  day  declare  with  the  utmoll  iincerity,  1  do  not 
think  myfcif  equal  to  the  coi.imand  I  am  honoured 
with. 

"  As  to  pay,  Sir,  I  beg  leave  to  affure  the  Con- 
grefs, that  as  no  pecuniary  confideration  could  have 
tempted  me  to  accept  this  arduous  employm*»nt,  at 
the  expence  of  my  domefiic  eafe  and  happinefs.  I  do 
not  wiih  to  make  any  profit  from  it.  1  will  keep 
an  exad:  account  of  my  expences.  Thofe  I  doubt 
not  they  will  difcharge,  and  that  is  all  I  defire." 

"Refohed 


(    So    ) 
Refoked,    That  a  Committee  be  appointed   to 
draught  a  CommifTion   and  Inftmaions  for  the 
General, 

TbQ  perfons  chofen  to  compofe  the  Committee 
were  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  E.  Rutledge,  and  Mr.  J.  Adams! 

The  papers  tranfmitted  from  the  Convention'  of 
New  York  being  read, 

Refolved,  That  the  fame  be  referred  to  a  Com* 
mittee  of  five,  and  that  they  report  what  fleps,  in 
their  opinion,  are  neceffary  to  be  taken  for  fecuring 
and  preferving  the  friend(hip  of  the  Indian  nations. 

The  following  perlbns  chofen  for  this  commit- 
tee, viz.  Mr.  Schuyler,  Mr.  Henry,  Mr.  Duane, 
Mr.  Wilfon,  and  Mr.  P.  Livingfton. 

The  Congrefs  then  refumed  the  confideration  of 
the  report  from  the  committee  of  the  whole,  and 
came  to  the  following  refolutions : 

Hefohed.  That  two  Major-Generals  be  appointed 
for  the  American  army. 

That  the  pay  of  each  of  the  Major- Generals  be 
Bne  hundred  2ii\df:xty- fix  Dollars  ^tv  month. 

That  when  any  of  thefe  ad  in  a  feparate  de- 
partment, he  be  allowed  for  his  pay  and  expences 
three  hundred a^d  thirty-tivo  Dollars  per  month. 

That  there  be  eight  Brigadiers-General. 

Tnat  the  pay  of  each  of  the  Brigadiers- General 
be  one  hundred  and  twenty-Jive  Dollars  per  month. 

That  there  be  one  Adjutant-General. 

That  his  pay  be  one  hundred -md  twenty -jiiie  Doi- 
griper  month. 

That  there  be  one  CommifTary-General  of  ftores 
and  provifions. 

That  his  pay  be  eighty  Dollars  per  month. 

That  there  be  one  Quarter-Mafter  General  for 
the  Grand  Army,  and  one  Deputy  under  him  for 
the  feparate  army. 

Th^t 


That  Vere  be^s~v7  ^.U   T."'^' 
aaing  in  a  feD7rate  rfln  ?      '''^  ^^J"  ^^""'I 

1  Hat  there  be  a  Commifflry  of.he  Mufters. 
ceifejr  «;Tf/ waf,TK"r  °lNew-YoX  re- 
read, anl  S'el     "tt  °"  "'^  ^'f  S^^'"^'  ^"'' 

Yok  be  d;fir"^  mln    r?'"'  Convention  of  New 

.o  march  ,owaSwv";:f'  '"'<^*»^''  ^<^J--'. 
Adjourned  tiil  to-m..ncw  at  .nine  o'clock. 


I 


i 


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(  82^  ) 

SATURDAY,  June  17,  1 775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  committee  appointed  to  draught  a  Com- 
milTion  to  the  General,   reported  the  fame,  which 
being  read  by  paragraphs  and  debated,  was  agreed 
to  as  follows : 

In      CONGRESS.  ' 

The  Delegates  of  the  United  Colonies  df 
New-Hampfhire,   Maflachufett's-Bay,    Rhode- 
IHand,    Conneaicut,  New- York,    New-Jerfey. 
Pennfvlvania,  the  Counties  of  New-Caftle,  Keni 
and  Suflex  on   Delaware,  Maryland,    Virginia, 
North-Carolina  and  Stath  Carolina. 
r(?    GEORGE    WASHING?TON,  Efq. 
W  E  repofing  efpecial  truft  and  confidence  in 
your  patriotifm,  va':o  jr,  conduft   and  fidelity,  do, 
by  thefe  prefents  conftitnte  and  appoint  you,  to  be 
General  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  Colonies,  and  of  all  the  Forces  now 
raifed  or  to  be  raifed  by  them,  and  of  all  othsirs, 
who  flial!  voluntarily  offer  their  fervice,  and  join 
the  faid  army  for  the  defence  of  American  Liberty, 
and  for   repelling  every   hoftile  invahon  thereof: 
A^d  you  are  hereby  vefted  with  full  power  and 
authority  to  adt  as  you  fhall  think  for  the  good  and 
welfare  of  the  fervice. 

And  we  do  hereby  ftridly  charge  and  require 
all  officers  and  foldiers  under  your  command,  to  be 
obedient  to  your  orders,  and  diligent  in  the  exercife 
of  their  feveral  duties.  And  we  do  alfo  enjoin  and 
require  you,  to  be  carefil  in  executing  the  great 
truft   repofed  in  you,  by  caufing  ftria  difciplinc 

and 


f  i 


and  order  to  be  obferved  in  the  army,  and  that  tha 
foldiers  be  duly  exercifcd  and  provided  with  all 
convenient  necefTaries. 

And  you  are  to  regulate  your  condua  in  every 
reipea  by  the  rules  and  difcipline  of  war  fas  here- 
wjth  given  you)  and  pundlually  to  obferve  and  fol- 
low fuch  orders  and  directions  from  time  to  time 
ns  you  fhall  receive  from  this  or  a  future  Congrefs 
of  thefe  United  Colonies  or  Committee  of  Con- 


grefs. 


This  Commiffion  to  continue  in  force,  until  re- 
voked by  this  or  a  future  Congrefs. 

r^  J     J    rr^-        ,  ^^  ^^^^'^  ^^  ^^^^  Congrefs. 

Ordered    That  the  fame  be  fairly  transcribed, 
figned  by  the  Prefident,  attefted  by  the  Secretary 
and  delivered  to  the  General. 

Refohedumnimoujly.    Whereas  the  Delegates  of 
all  the  Colonies  from  Nova-Scotia  to  Georgia,  in 
Congrefs    affembied,    have     unanimoufly    chofen 
George  JVafimgton,  Efq;   to  be  General  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  fuch  forces  as  are  or  fhall  be 
railed  for  the  maintenance  and  prefervation  of  Ame- 
rican Liberty  j  this  Congrefs  doth  now   declare, 
that  they  will  maintain  and  affift  him,  and  adhere 
to  him  the  faid  George  Wafliington,  with  their 
Jives  and  fortunes  m  the  fame  caufe. 
.  '^J!l,^''"g/«^s  then  proceeded  to  the   choice  of 
tat  Officers  m  the  army  by  ballot. 
Artemus  Ward,  Efq,  was  chofen  firft  Major  Ge^ 

Horatio  Gatesy  Efq:  Adjutant  General. 

Rejokjcd  That  Horatio  Gates,  Efqj  now  chofen 
Adjutant  General,  fhall  have  the  rank  of  Brigadier 
V/cneral.  ® 

Charles  Lee,  Efq;  fecond  Major  General. 
Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o'clock, 

MON- 


j     li 


lil.* 


I 


mi  ml 

mm 


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mwH 


(  84  ) 

MONDAY,  June  19, 1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Prefident  laid  before  the  Congrefs  fundry 
letters  he  had  received  from  Mairachufett*6-Bay  and 
I\cw-York,  which  were  read. 

Ordered^  That  Mr.  Henry,  Mr.  Lynch,  and  Mr. 

i.  Adams,  be  a  Committee  to  wait  upon  General 
AC,  and  to  inform  him  of  his  appointment,  and 
requcft  his  anfwer  whether  he  will  accept  the  com- 
mand. 

The.  Committee  returned  and  reported,  that 
they  had  waited  on  General  Lee,  and  in- 
formed him  of  his  appointment,  and  that 
he  gave  for  anfwer,  '*  That  he  had  the  higheft 
♦*  fenfe  of  the  honour  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
"  Congrefs ;  that  no  effort  in  his  power  fliall  be 
**  wanting  to  ferve  the  American  caufe." 

The  letters  from  MaiTachufett's-Bay  being  taken 
into  confideration,  the  Congrefs  came  to  the  fol* 
lowing  refolve : 

That  the  Governor  of  Connedicut  be  requefled 
to  dirc<5t  all  the  forces  raifed  in  that  colony,  not  em- 
ployed at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 'Point,  or  re- 
commended by  his  Congrefs  to  be  marched  to- 
wards New- York,  to  be  immediately  fent  to  join 
the  combined  army  before  Bofton  :  And  it  is  ear- 
neflly  recommended  to  the  colony  of  Rhode-Ifland, 
and  to  the  provincial  Convention  of  New-Hamp- 
fl-iire,  to  fend  immediately  to  the  army  befpre 
Bofton,  fuch  of  the  forces  as  are  already  embodied 
towards  their  quotas  of  the  troops  agreed  to  hs 
raifed  by  the  New- England  colonies. 

Refohedy  That  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  E.  Rutledge,  and 
Mr.  J.  Adams,  be  a  Committee  to  prepare  the 
form  of  a  commifTion  for  the  Major  Generals, 
alfo  for  the  Brigadier  Generals,  and  other  officers  in 
the  army,  Refolve^ 


(  ^$  ) 

RefoheJ,  That  there  be  four  Major  Generals 
The  Con^refs  then  proceeded  to  chul'e  the  twa 
remaining  Major  Generals   when  P^p  Schmkr 
Efqj  was  chofen  third  Major  General,  and  Ifrael 
rutnam,  Efqj  was  unanimoufly  chofen  fourth  Ma- 
jor  General. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  form 
ot  a  Lommiffion  for  the  Major  and  Brigadier  Ge- 
nerals, reported  the  fame,  which  being  agreed 

Or W  That  a  copy  thereof  be  made*  out 
figned  by  the  Prefident,  and  attefted  by  the  Secre- 
tary, for  each  of  the  Major  Generals  and  Brigadier 
Generals.  ° 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  get  a  number  of 
Commiffions,  with  proper  blanks,  printed  for  the 
other  officers. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  Petition 
read  ■  ''^^°"^'^  ^  ^^^^Z^t  of  one,  which  wa5? 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  o  o'clock. 
TUESDAY,  June  20,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  inftrudlons 
to  the  General,  reported  the  fame,   which  being 
read  and  debated,  were  agreed  to.  •  • 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  o  o'clock 

WEDNESDAY,  June  21,  1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournmenr. 
Mr.  Thomas  JefFerfon   appeared  as   a  Delegate 
from  the  colony  of  Virginia,  and  produced  his  cre- 
dentials, which  were  read  and  approved,  and  are  as 
loUows  : 

^  At  a  Convention  of  the  Delegates  for  the  coun- 
ties and  corporations  in  the  colony  of  Virginia,  at 
the  town  of  Richmond,  in  the  town  of  Henrico, 
on  Monday,  zyxk  March,  1775. 

On 


H 


HfMTM'i 


Vi  \ 


(    86     ) 

On  a  motion  made,  Rejolved,  That  Thomas 
JcfFcrfon,  Efq.  be  appointed  a  deputy  to  rcprefeut 
this  colony  in  General  Congrefs,  in  the  room  of  the 
honourable  Peyton  Randolph,  Efq.  in  cafe  of  the 
non-attendance  of  the  faid  Pevton  Randolph,  Efq.- 
Attejl.  JOHN  TAZEWELL.  Clerk  of  Convention, 

At  a  General  Ailem^ly,  began  arid  held  at  the 
Capitol,  in  the  city  of  Williamlbuig,  on  Thurfd;iy 
ifl  Jane,  in  the  fifteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  our 
Lord  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God  of 
Great-Britain,  &c.  A.  D.  177$' 

Monday,   ^th  June,   i^thGAW.   177$- 
Refohed,  N.  C.  O.  That  this   Houfe  doth  en- 
tirely approve  of  the  Proceedings  and  Refolutions 
of  the  Convention  of  Delegates  for  the  counties  and 
corporations,    in  the  colony  of  Virginia,    held  at 
Richmond  town,  in  the  county  of  Henrico,   the 
20th   of  March,   1775;  and    that   it  be  recom- 
mended to  all  the  good  people  of  this  colony  ftridly 
to  conform  to,  and  obferve  the  fame. 
By  the  Houfe  of  Burgeffes, 
PEYTON  RANDOLPH,  Speaker. 

Mr.  Henry  informed  the  Congrefs,  that  the  Ge- 
neral had  put  into  his  hand  fandry  queries,  to  which 
he  defired  the  Congrefs  would  give  an  anfwer. 

The  queries  being  read  and  debated, 

Refolvedj  That  a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed 
to  prepare  proper  anfwers. 

The  perfons  chofen  were  Mr.  Dean,  Mr. 
Henry,    Mr.  J.  Ruiledge,  Mr.    S.    Adams,    and 

Mr.  Lee. 

On  a  motion  made,  Rfohed,  That  the  General 
be  allowed  three  Aids  dc  Camp. 

That 


^'-^^K'^tlSE 


(   8;   ) 

That  each  of  the  Major- Generals  have  two  Aids 
cie  Lamp. 

That  their  pay  be  thirty-three  dollars  per  month 
each.  '^ 

Adjourned  till  to-morcow  at  9  o'clock. 
THURSDAY,    June  22,    lyy^.. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  anfwers  to 
the  General's  queric  reported  the  fame,  which 
were  read. 

The  Congrefs  then  came  to  the  following  Refo- 
lutioDs : 

Re/okeJ,  That  the  number  of  Brigadier-Generals 
be  augmented  to  eight ;  and  the  fame  were  chofen 
by  ballot  as  follows : 

Seth  Pomeroy,  Efqj  firft  Brigadier-General. 

Richard  Montgomery,  Efqj  lecond  ditto. 

David  Woofter,  Efqj  third  ditto. 

William  Heath,  Efq;   fourth  ditto. 

Jofeph  Spencer,  Efq;  fifth  ditto. 

John  Thomas,  Efqj  fixth  ditto. 

John  Sullivan,  Efq;  feventh  ditto. 

Nathaniel  Green,  Efq^  eighth  ditto, 

Refohedt  That  the  troops,  including  the  volun- 
teers, be  furnidied  with  Camp  equipage  and 
blankets,  where  neceflary,  at  the  Continental  ex- 
pence. 

Refohcd,  That  the  officers  now  in  the  army,  re- 
ceive their  new  Commiflions  through  the  hands  of 
the  General. 

Refolved,  That  a  fum  not  exceeding  two  millions 
of  Spanifli  milled  Dollars,  be  emitted  by  the  Con- 
grefs in  bills  of  credit,  for  the  defense  of  America. 

.  •  Refohedt 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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(    88    ) 

Refoked,  That  the  Twelve  confederated  Colonies 
be  pledged  for  the  redemption  of  the  bills  of  credit, 
how  direded  to  be  emitted.^ 

Upon  motion  made,  Refolvedy  That  the  Colony 
of  Pennfylvania  raife  two  more  companies  of  rifle- 
men, and  thatthefe,  with  the  fix  before  ordered  to 
be  by  thenn  raifed,  making  eight  companie8«  be 
formed  into  a  battalion,  to  be  commanded  by  fuch 
Field-Officers,  Captains  and  Lieutenants  as  (hall 
be  recommended  by  the  Aflembly  or  Convention  of 
faid  Colony,  , 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  9  o'cldck.    . 


^77S^ 


TUESDAY,    June  23, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
,  A  letter  from  Crown-Point,  dated  June  10,  was 
laid  before  the  Congrefs  and  read.  Information 
being  given,  that  two  officers  who  brought  the  let-* 
ter  were  at  the  door,  and  had  fome  things  of  impor- 
tance to  communicate. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  introduced,  and  they  were 
introduced.  After  they  withdrew,  the  Congrefs 
came  to  the  following  Refolutions,  viz. 

Refohed,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  officer 
commanding  in  the  New- York  department,  to  pro- 
cure, as  foon  as  poflible*  a  lift  of  the  men  employed 
in  taking  and  garrifoning  Crown-Point  and  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  keeping  pqfieflion  of  the  lakes,  and 
alfo  of  their  diiburfements  in  order  that  they  may 
be  paid. 

.  Refohed,  That  their  pay  be  the  feme  as  that  of  the 
officers  and  privates  in  the  American  army  j  the 
higheft  of  the  officers  not  to  exceed  that  of  a  Cap- 
tain, and  that  the  pay  comn:?nce  the  third  day  of 
May  taft,  and  continue  till  they  are  difcharged. 
.     -         ,  ^  Refohed, 


(  89  0 
Refohed,  That  it  be  rccommewJcd  to  the  Con- 
vention of  New. York,  that  they,  confuliing  with 
General  Schuyler,  employ  in  the  army  to  be  raifcd 
for  the  defence  of  America,  thofc  called  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  under  fuch  officers  as  the  faid  JGrfeen 
Mountain  Boys  [hall  cbufe. 

On  a  motion  made,  Refoke4,  That  a  Commit- 
tee of  five  be  chofen  to  draw  up  a  Declaration  to  be 
pubhflied  by  General  Waihington,  upon  his  arrival 
at  the  camp  before  Bofton. 

The  Committee  chofen  are  Mr.  J.  Rutledge,  Mr. 
W.  Livingftpn,  Mr,  Franklin,  Mr.  J^ y,  and  Mr. 
Johnfon. 

Argeeable  to  order,  the  Congrefs  refolved  itfelf 
into  a  Committe  of  the  whole,  to  take  into  further 
confideration  the  ftate  of  America,  and  after  fome 
timefpent  therein,  the  Prefident  refumedlhe  chair, 
and  Mr.  Ward  reported  certain  Refolutions  come* 
into  by  them,  and  that  not  having  yetfinilhed,  they 
defired  leave  to  fit  again. 

.    The  Report  of  the  Committee  being  read,  was 
agreed  to  as  follows : 

Refohedy  That  the  number  and  denominatbn  of 
the  bills  to  be  emitted,  be  as  follows  ; 


49»ooo 
49,000 
49,000 
49,000 
^9,000 
49,000 
49,000 
49,000 
i  1,000 
■  "  .  '•■ 
Total  403,800 


Bills  of  8 
Do.  of  7 
Do.  of  6. 
Po.  of  5 


Do. 

Do 

D0 

Do. 

Do. 


of  4 
of  3 
of  2 
of  I 
of  2P 


Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollars  each 
Dollar  each 
Dollars  each 


=  392»ooa 
=  343,000 
=  294,000 
?=  245,000 
=  196,000 
=  147,000 
=  98^000, 
=  49,Qoo 
=  236,000  , 
■■I  .  ip» 
2,000,000 


N 


Rifohed^ 


(     90    ) 
Refalvid,  That  the  form  of  the  bills  be  as  fol- 
lows : 

CONTINENTAL  CURRENCT. 
■  J<J  Dollars. 

i  Tijy-jjj^  mi  gjjiitks  the  bearer  to  recehe 

Spanijh  milled  dollars,,  or  the  value  thereof,   in 
'pldorjiher^  according  to  the  refolutiom  of  the 
Congrefs,  held  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  loth  day 
-    -    nfMay,  A.D.  1775.  ; 

Refohed,  That  M*-.  J,  Adams,  Mr.  J.  Rutledge, 
Mr.  Daune,  Dodtor  Franklin  and  Mr.  Wilfon,  be 
a  Conomittee  to  get  proper  plates  engraved,  to  pro- 
vide paper,  and  to  agree  with  printers  to  print  the 
above  bills.  ,        ' 

The  prder  for  a  Committee  of  the  whole  renew- 
ed, and  the  Congrefs  adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9 

o'clock. 

*  SATURDAY,  June  24,  '1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ori  a  motion  made,  Refihed,  That  a  Committee 
of  feven  be  appointed  to  devife  ways  and  means  to 
put  the  militia  of  America  in  a  |>r<>per  ftate  for  the 
defence  of  America.  >^^    j         ... 

The  members  chofen  are  Mr.  Paine,  Mr.  Har- 
rifon,  Mr.  Sherman,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Floyd, 
Mr.  Gadfdcn,  and  Mr.  Dickcnfoir. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  declara- 
tion to  be  publilhed  by  General  Waihington,  upon 
his  arrival  at  the  camp  before  Boflon,  brought  in 
their  report,  which  was  read  and  debated,  and  after 
fome  tim€f  referred  for  farther  confideration  till 
Monday  next,  .  .    ■  - 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o'clock. 

MON- 


. .  v^^&i'fc^;**^ .. 


(    90 
MONDAY,  June  26,  1 77J. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  Governor  Trumbull  was  read,  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  devifc  ways 
and  means  for  introducing  the  manufadure  of 
falt-petre  into  thefe  colonies. 

The  ftate  of  North-Carolina  being  taken  into 
confideration,  the  Congrefs  came  to  thr.  following 
rcfblutions. 

Whereas  it  is  reprefented  to  this  Congrefs,  that 
the  enemies  of  the  liberties  of  America  are  purfu- 
ing  meafures  to  divide  the  good  people  of  the  colo- 
ny of  North  Carolina,  and  to  defeat  the  American 
AfTociation.  ••    r 

Refohed,  That  it  may  be  recommended  to  all  in 
that  colony,  who  wiih  well  to  the  liberties  )f  Ame- 
rica, to  affociate  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty, 
and  to  embody  themfelves  as  militia,  under  proper 
officers,  , 

Refohed,  That  in  cafe  the  affcmbly  or  conven- 
tion of  that  colony,  fhall  think  it  abfolutely  ne- 
cefTary  for  the  fupport  of  the  American  Aflbcia- 
tion  and  fafety  of  the  colohv  to  raife  a  body  of 
forces  not  exceeding  one  thou  land  men,  this  Con- 
grefs will  confider  them  as  an  American  army, 
and  provide  for  their  pay.  • 

The  Congrefs  then  refumed  the  confideration  of 
the  declaration,    and  after  fome  debate, 

Refoked,  That  it  be  re-committed,  and  that  Mr: 
Dickenfon  and  Mr.  Jefferfon  be  added  to  the 
Commiwec. 

The  committee  for  Indian  affairs  brought  in  their 
report,  which  was  read. 

N  a  Ordered, 


1 


-.;l 


ill 


(    9^     ) 

Ordered,  That  the  Prcfident  write  to  Governor 
Trumbull,  and  inform  him,  and  alfo  the  Conven- 
tions of  New  Hamp{hire  and  MafTachufetts  Bay, 
and  the  government  o(  Rhode  Ifland,  that  the 
Congrefshave  appointed  George  Wafhington,  Efq^ 
Commander  in  Chief  of  all  ihe  Forces  raifed,  or  to 
be  raifcd,  for  the  defence  of  America. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 

TUESDAY,  June  27,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion  made,  Refohed,  That  Governor 
Skene  be  fent  under  a  guard  to  Weathersfield,  or 
Middletown,  in  the  county  of  Hartford,  in  Con- 
nedicut,  there  to  be  confined  on  his  parole,  not  to 
go  out  of  the  bounds  prefcribed  to  him  by  Governor 
Trumbull. 

Ordered,  That  the  Delegates  for  Pennfylvania, 
take  meafurcs  to  have  the  above  refolve  carried 
into  execution. 

,  A  letter  from  the  Convention  of  Maflachufetts 
Bay,  received  by  exprefs,  was  laid  before  the  Con- 
grefs  and  read. 

The  Congrefs  then  refumed  the  confideration  of 
the  ftate  of  affairs  in  the  New  York  department,  and 
after  fomc  time  fpent  therein,  came  to  certain  re- 
folutions,  which  vrere  ordered  to  be  immediately 
tranfmitted  to  General  Schuyler  for  his  direction. 

The  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  an  Addrefs 
to  the  Inhabitants  of  'Great  Britain,  reported  the 
fame,  which  was  read. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  nine  o'Clock. 


WEDNES- 


Sjgi&'''"." 


(    93     ) 
WEDNESDAY,  June  28,  1775, 

Mpt  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draught 
of  Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  government  of 
the  Army,  reported  the  (ame,  which  was  read  and 
taken  into  confideration.  And  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  and  the  day  following  being  fpent 
thereon,  adjourned  till  next  day  at  9  o'clock. 

FRIDAY,  June  30,  1775, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Congrefs  refumed  the  confideration  of  the 
Rules  and  Regulations,  which  being  gone  through 
were  agreed  to,  as  follows :  ^  ^  ^^ 

Whereas  his  Majefty's  moft  faithful  fubjeds  in 
hefe  Colonies  are  reduced  to  a  dangerous  and  cri- 
tical fituation,  by  the  attempts  of  the  Britifh  Mi- 
nistry to  carry  into  execution,  by  force  of  arms 
feveral  unconftitut.onal  and  oppreffive  adts  of  the 
Brmfh  Parliament  for  laymg  taxes  in  America,  to 
enforce  the  colledion  of  thofe  taxes,  and  for  alter 
ing  and  changing  the  conftitution  and  internal  pol 
hcc  of  fome  of  thefe  Colonies,  in  violation  of  ihe 
natural  and  civil  rights  of  the  Colonies. 

And  whereas  hoftilities  has  been  adually  com- 
menced m   the  Maffachufett's-Bay,  by  the  Britifli    • 
troops,  under  the  command  of  General  Gage,  and 

i'n    aV^  '  r "^^^  "^  '^'  ^"^^b««"^^  °f  that  Co-  " 
Ipnyjieftroyed  ,  the  town  of  Bofton  not  only  hav- 

mg  been  long  occupied  as  a  garrifoned  town  in 

^  an 


ii 


Pi 

I''' 

1' 


(    94?    ) 
an  enemies  country,  but  the  inhabitants  thereof 
treated  with  a  Tcverity  and  cruelty  not  to  be  jufti- 
fied  even  towards  declared  enemies. 

And  whereas  large  reinforcements  have  been 
ordered,  and  arc  foon  expe<fted,  for  the  declared 
purpole  of  compelling  thefe  colonies  to  fubmit  to 
the  operation  of  the  faid  a(51:p,  which  hath  ren- 
dered it  neceflary,  and  an  indifpenfible  duty  for  the 
cxprefs  purpofe  of  fecuring  and  defending  thefe  co- 
lonies, and  preferving  them  in  fafety  againft  all  at- 
tempts to  carry  the  faid  a6ts  into  execution  j  that 
an  armed  force  be  raifed  fufficient  to  defeat  fuch 
hoftile  defigns,  and  preferve  and  defend  the  lives, 
liberties  and  immunities  of  the  colonifts ;  for  the 
due  regulating  and  well  ordering  oi  which, 

Rcfohed,  That  the  following  RULES  and  OR- 
DERS be  attended  to,  and  obfervcd  by  fuch  forces 
as  are  or  may  hereafter  be  raifed  for  the  purpofes 
cforefaid. 


Article  I.  That  every  officer  who  (hall  be  re- 
tained, and  every  foldier  who  (hall  fcrve  in  the 
Continental  Army,  ftiall  at  the  time  of  his  accept- 
ance of  hiscommiflion  or  inliftment,  fubfcribe  thcfc 
rules  and  regulations.  And  that  the  officers  and 
foldiers,  already  of  that  army,  fhall  alfo  as  foon  as 
may  be  fubfcfibc  the  fame;  from  the  time  of  which 
fubfcription  every  officer  and  foldier  {hall  be  bound 
by  thofe  regulations.  But  if  any  of  the  officers  or 
foldiers,  now  of  the  faid  army,  do  not  fubfcribt 
thefe  'ules  and  regulations,  then  they  may  be  re- 
tained in  the  faid  army,  fubje^t  to  the  rules  and  re- 
gulations under  which  they  entered  into  the  fervicc, 

or 


(    95    ) 

or  be  difcharged  from  the  fervicc,  at  the  option 
of  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

Art.  2.  It  is  earnsftly  recommended  to  all  offi- 
cers and  foidiers  diligently  to  attend  Divine  Ser- 
vice j  and  all  officers  and  foldiers,  who  (hall  be- 
have indecently  or  irreverently  at  any  place  of  Di- 
vine Woifhip,  Hiall,  if  commiflioned  officers,  be 
brought  before  a  court-martial,  there  to  be  public- 
ly and  feverely  reprimanded  by  the  Prefident;  if 
non-commiffioned  officers  or  foldiers,  every  perfon 
fo  offending,  ffiall,  for  his  f5r{l  offence  forfeit  one 
fixth  of  a  dollar,  to  be  deduced  out  of  his  next 
pay ;  for  the  fecond  offence,  he  fhall  not  only  for- 
feit a  like  fum,  but  be  confined  for  twenty-four 
hours  i  and  for  every  like  offence,  Oiall  fuffer  and 
pay  in  like  manner,  which  money  fo  forfeited  (hall 
be  applied  to  the  ufe  of  the  (ick  foldiers  of  the  troop 
or  company  to  which  the  offender  belongs. 

Art.  3.  Whatfoever  non-commiffioned  officer  or 
foldier  (hall  ufe  any  profane  oath  or  execration,  (liall 
incur  the  penalties  expreffed  in  the  foregoing  arti- 
cle ;  and  if  a  commiffioned  officer  be  thus  guilty  of 
profane  curfing  or  fwearing,  he  (hall  forfeit  and 
pay  for  each  and  every  fuch  offence,  the  fum  of 
four  (hillings,  lawful  money. 

Art.  4.  Any  officer  or  foldier,  who  (liall  behave 
himfelf  with  contempt  or  dif  efpeft  towards  the 
General  or  Generals,  or  Commanders  in  Chief  of 
the  Continental  Forces,  or  (hall  fpeak  falfe  words, 
lending  to  his,  or  their  hurt,  ordi(honour,  (hall  be 
paniffied,  according  to  the  nature  of  his  offence, 
by  the  judgment  of  a  general  Court-Martial. 

.    .  Art. 


)  >■• 


H 


(  96  ) 
Art.  5,  Any  officer  or  foldier,  who  (hall  begir?, 
excite,  caufc  or  join  in  any  mutiny  or  fedition,  in 
the  regiment,  troop,  or  company,  to  which  he  be- 
longs, or  in  any  other  regiment,  troop  or  com- 
pany of  the  Continental  Forces,  either  by  land  or 
fca,  or  in  any  part,  poft,  detachment,  or  guard,  on 
any  pretence  whatfocver,  (hall  fufFer  fuch  punirti- 
ment  as  by  a  general  court  martial  fliall  be  ordered. 

uirt.  6.  Any  officer,  non-commiffioned  officer,, 
or  foldier,  who  being  prefent  at  any  mutiny  or  fe- 
dition, docs  not  ufe  his  utmofl  endeavours  to  fup- 
prefs  the  firae,  or  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  any 
mutiny,  or  intended  mutiny,  docs  not,  without 
delay,  give  information  thereof  to  the  commanding 
officer,  fliall  be  puniflied  by  order  of  a  general 
court  martial,  according  to  the  nature  of  his 
offence. 


jirt,  7.  Any  officer,  or  foldier,  who  (liall  ftrikc 
his  fuperior  officer,  or  draw  or  offisr  to  draw,  or 
ihall  lift  up  any  weapon,  or  offer  any  violence 
again  ft  him,  being  in  the  execution  of  his  office, 
on  any  pretence  whaifocver,  or  fhall  difobey  any 
lawful  commands  of  his  fuperior  officer,  (hall  fuf- 
fer  fuch  punifhment  as  fl^iall,  according  to  the  na- 
ture of  his  offence,  be  ordered  by  the  fcntence  of  a 
general  court-martial. 

Art.  8.  Any  non-commiffioned  offiper  or  foldier, 
who  flialldefcrt.or  without  leave  of  his  commanding 
officer,  abfent  himfelf  from  the  troop  or  company  to 

which 


((  .  97    ) 

which  ^e  belongs,  or  from  any  detachment  of 
nic  lame,  fliall,  upon  being  convidcd  thereof* 
Be  pumlhGd  according  to  the  nature  of  his  of* 
fence,  at  the  difcrdion.  of  a  general  court-mar- 
tial. I  . 

Art,  9,  Whatfdever  officef  or  foldief  fhall  b« 
conviacd  of  having  ^dvifed  or  perfuaded  ant 
othcrofficer  or  roldfcr  to  defa^t,  fhall  fufTcr  Cuch 
punifhment  as  ihall  be  ordered  by  the  fcntence  o£ 
a  generai  court-martial.  i    'rffo  i  t 

^'"^A,  'n  V^"  officers,  of  what  condition  foi- 
ever,  Ihall  have  power  to  part' and  que'H  all  quar- 
rels, frays  and  diforders,  though  the  perfonJ 
concerned  Ihould  belong  to  another  r^gittiertt; 
troop  or  company ,  and  ^ithct^  order  officer^  to  bfc 
arreltcd,  or  non-commiffioned  officers  or  foldkit 
to  be  confined  and  imprifoned,  till  their  proper 
lupenor  officers  Ihall  be  acquainted  therewith  ; 
and  whoever  (hall  refufe  to  obey  fudh  officer  (tho* 
of  an  inferior  rank)  or  (hall  draw  his  fword  upon 
liim.  (hall  be  puni(hed  at  the  difcrction  of  aW 
iieral  court»martial.  •  , 

"^''^VV;  ^°  ^^^^'  °^  ^oJ^'er  (hall  ufe  any 
reproachful  or  provoking  fpeeches  or  eeftures  to 
another  J  nor  (liall  prefume  to  Cend  a  challen^ft  to 
any  pcrfon  to  fight  a  duel ;  And  whoever  (hall 
knowingly  and  willingly  fuffer  any  perfon  what*- 
foever  to  go  forth  to  fight  a  duel  i  or  (hall  fe- 
cond,,  ^promote,  or  carry  any  challenge,  (hall  be 
<lecmed  a^  a  principal  1  And  whatfoevcr  officer 
or  foldier  (hall  upbraid  another  for  refufing  a 
challenge,  (hall  alfo  be  confidered  as  a  chal- 
toger  :  And  all  fuch  offisndcrs,  in  any  of  thcfe 
or  fucjh  like  cafes,  (hall  be  punifhed  at  the  dif- 
cretion  of  a  general  court-martial. 


» ' 


ll 


(  . 


V 


•(    98  •;) 

'  jlrl,  i^*  Every  officer  commanding  In  qaar* 
tcrs,  or  on  a  march,  lliall  keep  good  order,  and, 
to  the  utinoft  ot"  Ivis  power,  rcdrels  all  fuch  abu- 
I'cs  or  dilbrdera  .whidi  may  be  conmiitted  by  any 
orticer  or  foldier  under  his  command :  If  upon 
ftrty  compUiAt  being  made  to  him,  ot  officers  or 
f^ldiers  beating,  or  other  wife  ill- treating  any  per- 
im,  or  of  committing  any  kind  of  riot,  to  the 
difquicling  of.the  inhabitants  of  this  continent  j 
he  the  faid  commander,  who  (hall  refufc  or  omit 
tp  fee  jufticc  done  on  the  offender  or  offenders, 
and  reparation  made  to  the  party  or  parties  injur- 
ed, aa  far  as  the  offenders  wages  (hall  enable  him 
or  them,  fhall,  upon  due  proof  thereof,  be  pu- 
njfhed  as  ordered  by  ,a  general  court-martial,  in 
fuch  manner  as  if  he  himfelf  had  committed  the 

<ii-imes  or  dif(!»xiers  complained  of.  c^  ci 

•  >  '  ' '  11. 

"oiArt*  13.  if  any  officer  (hould  think  himfelf  to 
be  wronged  .by  his  Colonel  or  the  commanding 
afficecof  the.  regiment,  and  fhall,  upon  due  ap* 
plication  made  to  him,  be  refufed  to  be  redrcfTcd, 
he  may  cbniplain  to  the  General  or  Comrtiander 
in  Chief  of  the  Continental  Forces,  in  order  to 
obtain  juftice,  who  is  hereby  required  to  examine 
into  faid  complaint,  and  fee  that  juftice  be 
'done,  f^'h'j-ft  ■  /  .  ''■^- 


Art.  14.  If  any  inferior  officer  or  foldier,  fhall 
think  himfelf  wronged  by  his  Captain  or  other 
officer  commanding  the  troop  or  company  to 
which  he  belongs,  he  is  to  complain  thereof  to 
the  commanding  officer  gf  the  regiment,  who  is 

hereby 


m  qaar* 
dcr,  and, 
fuch  abu» 
ed  by  any 
;  If  upon 
officers  or 
J  any  per- 
5t,  to  the 
ontinent ; 
fc  or  omit 
offenders, 
tics  injur- 
iiable  him 
f,  be  pu- 
urtialy  in 
mitted  the 


himfelf  to 
nmanding 
1  due  ap* 
redrciTcd, 
>mnfiander 
1  order  to 
o  examine 
juftice   be 

dier,  fhall 
or  other 
mpany  to 
thereof  to 
at,  who  is 
hereby 
1>3 


hereby  required  to  fummon  a  re^iiiicntul  cdtirt- 
martial,  for  the  doing  juflice  to  t1>«i .complainant , 
from  which  regimental  court-martial,  eithet 
party  may.  if  he  thinks  himfelf  flill  aggrieved 
appeal  to  a  general  court-martial  j  buti  if,  upon 
a  lecoiid  hearing,  the  appeal  fhall  appear  to  be 
vexatious  and  groundlefs,  the  perfou  fb  appeal- 
ing, (liull  be  punifhed  at  the  dilbrction  of  the  ac- 
neral  court-martial.  ,„;    j,.,,^,,      ^, 

'  fi'^^'  ^'^•^^^'^cvernon-commifrioncdoflicer 
or  foldicr,  fliall  be  conviaed,  at  a  regimental 
court-martial,  of  having  fold,  or  defigncdly,  or 
through  negleca  wafted  the  ammunition,  arms,  or 
provihons,  or  other  mihtary  flores,  delivered  (o 
Jiim,  to  be  employed  in  the  fervice  of  this  con- 
tinent,  fhall  if  an  officer,  be  reduced  to  a  pri- 
vatecentineh  and  if  a  private  foldier,  fhall  fufi^r 
fuch  punifhment  as  fhall  be  o-dered  by  a  reei- 
mental  court- martiaj.  "./   . 

.,.,  J 
Art,  i6.  All  non-commiffioned  officers  ana 
foldiers,  who  fhall  be  found  oi^  mile  from  the 
Camp,  without  leave  in  writing  from  their  com* 
manding  officer,  fliall  fufFer  fuch  punifhment  as 
lliall  be  infolded  on  him  or  them  by  the  fenffencc 
ot  a  regiment  court-martial. 

Art,  ly.  No  officer  or  foldier  fhall  lie  out  of 
his  quarters,  or  camp,  without  leave  from  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  regiment,  upon  pe- 
nalty of  being  punifhed  according  to  the  nature 

ot  his  offence,  by  order  of  a  regimental  court- 
martial.  ^  . 


O  z 


Arf» 


(;  (  r  fOOf  > 
*  j#/^  18*  Every  noo^^omrnilliorted  ofHv<5r'M»i 
(oldier  fliaU  retire  to  hh  quarters,  or  tent,  at  the 
ttating  <)f  the  retreat ;  in  deiuult  of  vflmh,  he 
^all  be  pimiihed  according  to  the  nature  of  hia 
©ffence,  by  ord^r  of  the  comn:ianding  officer. 

-iJlrf.  15^.  No  officer,  non-con^miffioned  ofii- 
<?er  or  foldicr  fliall  f^il  of  repairing  at  tho 
time  fixed,  to  the  place  of  parade  or  exer-r 
cife,  or  other  rendezvous  appointed  by  the  coni- 
mahdi?:;  oifitcr,  if  not  prevented  by  ficknefs, 
or  fone  other  evident  ncceffity ;  or  ihall  go 
from  the  faid  place  of  rendezvous,  or  from  his 
guar4,  without  leave  from  his  commanding  of- 
ficer, bflforc  he  (hall  be  regularly  difmiflcd  or 
relieved,  on  penalty  of  being  puniihed  acqord-» 
irig  to  the  nfttire  of  his  offcncci  hy  the  fentencQ 
nf  a  regiiiieotsd  tourt-mftvtial. 

-\  .  i  •  ^ 

yirt.  20.  Whatf-'  vp;-  com^mifTioncd  officer  fhall 
be  found  drunk  ju  his  guard,  party  or  duty,  un- 
jtier  arms',  (\^%\l  be  cafhiered  for  it ;  ^ny  non- 
f ommiffjoned  o^cer  or  foldier,  fo  offending, 
ih^l  fuffer  iuch  punifhment  a^  fhall  be  or- 
dered by  the  fentpnc®  of  a  regitenentai  courts 
mariiaL 

y^rf.  21.  Whatfoever  centinel  fhall  be  found 
-flccping  upon  his  poft,  or  fhall  leave  it  befoi-e  he 
fliall  be  regularly  relieved,  fhajl  fufFer  fuch  pu- 
nifhment as  fhall  be  ordered  by  thp  fcntence  of  a 
gercralcoiirtrmartial, 

j^rL  22.  Anyperfonbclonging  to  the  Continent 
tal  Army,  who  by  difch;irgin^  of  f  re-arms,  beating 

of 


<X' 


(  i^l  ) 

of  drums,  or  by  any  other  means  whatfoevcf,  flraU 
Qwcafion  falfc  alarms,  in  camp  or  quarters,  (hall 
fufFcr  fuch  punifhmcnt  as  fhall  be  ordered  by  tho 
fentence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

-  ulrf.  23.  Any  officer  or  foldier,  who  fhall,  with- 
out urgent  nccefiity,  or  without  leave  of  bis  fupe- 
rior  officer,  quit  his  platoon  or  divifion,  fhall  be 
punifhed  according  to  the  nature  of  his  of- 
fence, by  the  fcntencc  of  a  regimental  court-» 
martial,  ^ 

-^r/.  24.  No  officer  or  foldier  fhall  do  violence 
or  offer  any  infult,  or  abufe,  to  any  perfon  who 
{hail  bring  provifions,  or  other  neceffaries,  to  th^ 
camp,  or  quarters  of  the  continental  army;  any 
officer  or  foldier  fo  offending,  fhall,  upon  com- 
plaint being  made  to  the  commanding  officer,  fuf? 
fer  fuch  punifhment  as  fhail  be  ordered  by  a  regii 
mental  court-martial. 

.^r/.  25.  Whatfoever  officer  or  foldier  fhalj 
fhamefuUy  abandon  any  port  committed  to  his 
charge,  or  fliall  fpeak  words  inducing  others  to 
do  the  like,  in  time  of  an  engagentcnt,  fhall  fufi 
fer  death  immediat'ely. 

Jri.  P.6.  Any  perfon  belonging  to  thecontinenta} 
army,  who  fhall  make  known  the  watch-word  to 
any  perfon  who  is  not  intitled  to  receive  it,  ac^ 
cording  to  the  rules  and  difciplirie  of  war,  or  fhalj 
prefume  to  give  a  parole,  or  watch-^word,  diffo^ 
rent  from  what  he  received,  iliali  fufFer  death,  or 
fuch  other  punifhment  as  fliall  be  ordered  by  tho 
fenence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

j^rL  27.  Whofoever,  belonging  to  thie  continen- 
tal army,  fhall  relieve  the  eneiny  with  money, 

victuals. 


(     lot     ) 

viduals,  or  ammunition ;  or  {hall  knowingly  har- 
bour or  prote(fl  an  enemy,  fhall  fufFer  {^ich  punifli- 
ment  as  by  a  general  court-martial  fliall  be  or- 
dered. 

Jirt.2Z.  Whofocver,  belonging  to  the  conti- 
nental army,  (hall  be  convided  of  holding  corre- 
fpondence  with,  or  of  giving  intelligence  to  the 
enemy,  either  directly  or  indireftly,  fhall  fuffer 
fuch  puniQiment  as  by  a  general  court-martial 
ihall  be  ordered. 

Art.  29.  All  public  (lores  taken  tn  the  enemy's 
camp  or  magazines,  whether  of  artillery,  ammu-; 
nition,  cloathing  or  provifions,  dial!  be  fecured 
for  the  ufe  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Art.  30.  If  any  officer  or  foldicr  (hall  leave  his 
poft  or  colours,  in  time  of  an  engagement,  to  go 
in  fearch  of  plunder,  he  (liall,  upon  being  con-> 
vi(^»d  thereof  before  a  general  court-manial,  fuffer 
Aich  punilhmcnt  as  by  faid  court-martial  (hall 
bp  ordered. 

Art.  3 1 .  If  any  commander  of  any  pofl,  in- 
trenchment,  or  fortref^  fhall  be  compelled  by  the 
officers  or  foldiers  under  his  command  to  give  it 
up  to  the  enepiy,  or  to  abandon  it,  the  commif- 
fioned  officer,  non-commidjoned-ofricers  or  fol- 
diers who  (hall  be  convicted  pf  having  fo  offended, 
jliall  fuffer  death,  or  fuch  othfr  punidiment  as 
may  be  inflicted  upon  them  by  the  fenttijce  of  a 
general  court-martial. 

Art'  j^.  All  futtlers  and  retailers  to  a  canip, 
and  all  perfons  whatfoever,  ferving  with  the  coh^ 
tinental  army  in  the  field,  though  not  inlifled 
foldiers,  are  to  be  fubjetft  to  the  articles,  rules, 
and  regulations  of  the  continental  army. 

Art, 


t   '03  ) 

/^^f'  33-  No  general  court-martial  fhall  confift 
of  aleis  number  than  thirteen,  none  of  which 
Ihall  be  under  the  degree  of  a  commiflloned  of^ 
iicer;  and  the  prefident  (hall  be  a  field  ofticer : 
And  the  prefident  of  each  and  every  court- 
martial,  whether  general  or  regimental,  (hall 
■have  power  to  adminifter  an  oath  to  every  wit- 
nefs,  in  order  to  the  trial  of  offenders.  And 
the  members  of  all  courts-martial  (liall  be  duly 
fworn  by  the  prefident;  and  the  next  in  rank  on 
the  court-martial  ihall  adminiftcr  the  oath  to  the 
prefident. 

J  .     ,  1  ...  ■  ^ 

;  jfrf,  34.  The  members,  both  of  general  and 
rqgimental  courts-martial,  (hall,  when  belong* 
ing  to  different  corps,  take  the  fame  rank  which 
they  hold  in  the  army;  but  when  courts-martial 
ihall  be  compofed  of  officers  of  one  corps, 
they  fhall  take  their  ranks  according  to"  theip 
commiffions  by  which  they  are  muftered  in  tfip 
faid  corps. 

^rf.  35.  AU  the  members  of  a  eourt-martiaJ, 
arc  to  behave  with  calmnefs,  decency,  and  inir 
partiality ;  and  in  giving  of  their  votes,  are  to 
begin  with  the  younge^  or  loweft  in  commif- 
iion. 

^rt.  36.  No  field  officer  fhall  be  tried  by  any 
perfon  under  the  degree  of  a  captain ;  nor  fhall 
any  proceedings  or  trials  be  carried  on,  except- 
ing between  the  hours  of  eight  in  the  morning, 
and  three  in  the  afternoon,  except  in  cafes  which 
require  an  immediate  example. 

^rt.  37.  The  commlffioned  officers  of  every 
regiment  may,  by  tl>e^appointment  of  their  cofo- 
..c.    ^.^    vviiiwiaiiuiijg  wiiiucr,    iiwia    regimentai 

courts- 


t^ewrts-martial  for  the  enqukiilg  ^tito  fuciidif'- 
pvites  or  criminal  matters  as  may  come  beforb 
them,  and  for  the  infli<!^ing  corporal  punifh- 
ments,  for  fmall  offences,  and  (liall  givejudg-^ 
ment,  by  the  majority  of  voices;  bitt  no  fen»- 
tence  fhall  be  executed  till  the  commanding  officer 
(not  being  a  member  of  the  court-martialj  Ihall 
have  confirmed  the  fame.  i 

\drf,  5^;  No  regimental  court-martial  fhall 
tdnffft  of  lefs  than  five  officers*  excepting  in 
cafes  where  rhat  number  canfiot  bt  c6nveniently 
aflembled,  when  three  may  be  fufficientj  whb 
Are  likewife  to  determine  upon  the  ftntence  by 
the  majority  of  voices  >  which  fentence  is  to  bfc 
confirmcu  by  the  commanding  officer,  not  beift  j 
kjiiembef  of  the  court-martial.  *      >  v^;' 

4//.  39.  E^efy  office!-,  dommanding'ln'  any 
Ifbh,  fcaltle,  or  barrack,  of  elfeWhere^  where 
therdrps  trrit!d>-  his  oommand  confifts  of  detach- 
ments from  different  regiments,  or  of  indepen- 
dent companies,  may  affemble  coupts-itiartialfbr 
thetJ?ial  of  offenders  in  the  faitse  manned  as  if 
they  were  regimental,  iwhofe  fentertce'  i5  not  t6 
tic. executed  till  it  ihftjl  :bc^ conftrmod » by  tlie  ikid 
commanding  officer.  .   l^^ 

\r^ri.  40/ Nd  perfon  whatfoevef  fliafl  ufe  me-> 
jrtacing  words,  figns,  or  gcftures  in  the  prcfenc* 
of  a  couKt-martial  then  fitting,  or  (hall  caufeany 
diforder  or  riot,  fo  as  to  diflurb  their  proceeding^, 
on  the  penalty^  of  being  punifhed  at  the  difcretion 
of  the  laid  court-martial.  t 

•  j^rf.  41.  To  the  end  that  offertclers  may  be 
brought  to.juflice;  whenever  any  officer  or  fol- 


.■I  mi'^    ^%'j%.x  T  ■ 


'o  r 


Uiiii-imiviix.-f 


he 


/ 


v.; 


I 


(  w  ) 

.ic  (half  by  his  compiai^ding  officer,  if  an  oificer, 
fe  put  in  ?rreftj  if  ^nop-copimiffioniBd  o0k^r  or 
foldier,  bf  imprifoncd  till  be  Ihail  be  cirher  iriec} 
by  ^  cpprt  ma/tial,  or  (hall  bs  lawfully  difcharged 
by  proper  authority. 

^  ^rt.  42.  No  officer  or  foldier  who  (hall  be  put 
m  arreft,  or  i.niiprifonment,  (hall  continue  in  "hi^ 
confinement  more  than  eight  days,  or  till  fucli 
time  as  a  court-martial  can  be  conveniently  af- 
lembled.  ^       '        •  •     ' 

f.  ■        ■  . 

Jrf.  43.  No  officer  caq>maoding  a  guard,  or 
provoft  marfhal,  (hall  refufe  to  receive  or  keep  any 
prifoper  committed  to  his  charge,  by  an  ofcr  bel 
bnging  tp  the,  cpnfjn,eDtgr  forces j^  whicH'  pfgcer 
Ihall  at  the  fame  time  dehver  an  account  in  wririnu- 
figned  by  himfelf,  of  the  crime  with  which  the 
f^id  prifoner  is  charged. 

jirt  44.  Np  oificer  coip,manding  a  guard,  or 
pfovoftmarO^aJ,  (hall  prefume  lo  |:elea(e%i?y  pri^ 
fpncr  ccMnmittcd  to  hi?  f^harge,  ^it£out^>ro|Jf  au« 
thority  for  fo  doing ;  nor  /HaU  he  Ipfcr  ap/  prifoner 
toefcape,  on  the  penalty  of  being  puniflaed  for  it 
by  the  fcntencc  of  a  general  courtrmartiaU  *^ 

^r/  45.  Every  officer  or  provoft  marihaj,  to 
whofe  charge  prifoners  (hall  be  committed,  is  here- 
by required,  within  twenty-four  hours  after  fuch 
a)mmitment,  or  as  foon  as  he  (hall  be  relieved 
from  his  guard,  to  give  in  writing  to  the  colonel  of 
the  regiment  to  whom  the  prifoner  belongs  (where 
the  prifoner  is  confined  upon  the  guard  belonging  to 
the  faid  regiment,  and  that  his  offence  only  relates 
to  the  negledt  of  duty  ki  his  own  corps,)  or  to  the 

"  commander 


(    io6    ) 

commander  in  chief,  their  names,  their  crimes,  an^ 
the  names  of  the  officers  who  committed  them,  oh 
^he  penalty  of  being  punifhed  for  his  difobedience 
or  negled:,  at  the  difcretion  of  a  general  courts 
martial.  ' 

Art.  46.  And  if  any  officer  under  grreft  fhal| 
leave  his  coniinement  before  he  is  fet  at  liberty  by 
the  officer  who  confined  him»  or  by  a  fuperior 
power,  he  (hall  be  ca(hiered  for  it. 

Art.  47.  Whatfoever  commiffioned  officer  (hall 
jbe  conviifted  before  4  general  court-martial,  of  be- 
having in  a  fcandalous  infrmous  manner,  fuch  as  i3 
unbecoming  the  ch£^ra(5t^r  of  an  officer  and  a  gen% 
tleman,  (hgll  be  dlfch^rge4  from  the  fervice. 

Art.  48.  All  officers,  conduftors,  gunners,  ma^ 
trofTes,  drivers,  or  any  other  perfons  whatfoever, 
receiving  pay  or  hire,  in  the  fervice  of  the  cqnti- 
liental  artillery,  (hall  be  governed  by  the  aforefaid 
rules  and  articles,  and  (hall  be  fubjeA  to  be  tried  by 
(BOuYts-martial,  in  like  manner  with  the  officers  ar4 
ibldiers  of  the  continental  troops^ 

♦    ■  '      "      *    ■ 

Art.  49,  For  differences  arifing  among  themr 
felvcs,  or  in  matters  relating  folely  to  their  owq 
corps,  the  courts-martial  may  be  compofed  of  their 
own  officers  j  but  where  a  number  fufKcient  of  fuch 
officers  cannot  be  aflembled,  or  in  matters  wherein 
other  corps  are  interefted,  the  officers  of  artillery 
(hall  (it  in  courts-martial,  with  the  officers  of  the 
pther  corps. 

Art.  50.  All  crimes  not  capital,  and  all  difor- 
ficrs  and  negle^s,  whjch  officers  and  foldiers  may 

A. 


(    '07    ) 

be  guilty  of,  to  the  prejudice  of  good  order  and  mi^ 
lUary  dilciphne,  though  not  mentioned  in  the  artielci 
of  war,  are  to  be  taken  cognizance  of  by  a  general 
or  regimental  court-martial,  according  to  the  nature 
and  degree  of  the  offence,  and  be  puniOied  at  their 
diicretion. 

Art.  51.  That  no  pcrfons  fliall  be  fentcnced  by  a 
courtMnartial  td  fuffcr  death,  except  in  the  cafes 
exprefsly  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  articles  j  nor 
ihall  any  punifliment  be  inflidted  at  the  difcretion 
of  a  court-martial,  other  than  degrading,  cashiering, 
drumming  out  of  the  army,  whipping  not  exceed- 
ing 39  laflies,  fine  not  exceeding  two  months  pay 
of  the  oiFendcr,  imprifonment  not  execedine  one 
month.  ** 

Art.  52.  The  field  oncers  of  each  and  ^very 
regiment  are  to  appoint  fome  fuitable  perfon  belong* 
ing  tofuch  regiment,  to  receive  all  fuch  fines  as 
may  arife  within  the  fame,  for  any  breach  of  any 
of  the  foregoing  articles,  and  (hall  dired  the  fame 
to  be  carefully  and  properly  applied  to  the  relief  of 
luch  fick,  wounded,  or  neceffitous  foldiers,  as  be-* 
long  to  fuch  regiment ;  and  fuch  perfon  (hall  account 
with  fuch  officer  for  all  fines  received,  and  the  ap-^ 
plication  thereof.  : 

-^''  53*  All  members  fitting  in  courts-martial 
(hall  be  (worn  by  the  Prefident  of  faid  courts, 
which  Prefident  (hall  himfclf  be  fworn  by  the 
officer  in  faid  court  next  in  rank  :•— The  oath  to  be 
suiminiftered  previous  to  their  proceeding  to  the  trial 
«f  any  offender,  in  form  following,  viz^ 


(     loi     ) 


"  Tou  A.  ^.fwidr  thut  you  ioi/l  well  and  tru^ 
jfry,  and  impartiaUy  determne  the  tkufg  of  the  pri" 
fbner  noiif  to  h  tried y  aaording  fd  fbe  rules  for  re^ 
guldttttg  the  Continental  Army,  So  help  yon 
God." 

'  Jr/^.  54.  Allp^tfonicialletd  ib%V9t  evidence,  in 
ifty  fcatfe,  Before  i  XoM-ttizttU,  Who  fhall  irfofe 
\6  ^iv*  fevJdtrice,  niall  Be  pdhiftifcd  fdr  fiikch  refufali 
^t  thedrcrctidh  hi  luchcbiirt- martial.  The  bath 
t6Bd  ictoiiirifterfcd  in  tli%  follbwfng  fortrt,  viz. 


<< 


Youfwear  the  evfdence pu  fiall  give  in  the  cafe 
now  in  hearirrgj  fhall  b  the  truths  the  whole  truth, 
and  nothing  but  the  truth.     So  help  you  God.*' 

•  jrfr/*.  55.  Every  officer  c(inimawdmg  a  regiment, 
trooji,  br  compatiy,  ihall,  upon  notice  given  to 
him  by  the  conli^miflary  of  the  mufters,  of  fiom  one 
of  hii  deputies,  aflemble  \\\t  regiment,  troop,  or 
company  under  his  command,  in  the  next  conve- 
nient place  for  their  being  muftered. 

Art.  56.  Every  colonel  or  other  field  officer,  or 
officer  commanding  any  corps,  (o  which  there  is  no 
field  officer,  and  adualiy  refiding  vt^ith  it,  may 
give  forloughs  to  non-coipmiffioned  officers  and 
Toldiers,  in  fuch  numbers,  and  for  fo  long  a  time, 
as  he  (h'all  jtidge  to  be  moft  confiftent  with  the 
good  6f  the  fervice  ;  but  no  T>dh-commiffioned  of- 
ficer 6r  foldier  Ihall,  by  leave  of  his  captain,  or 
inferior  officer,  commanding  the  troop  or  com- 
pany (his  field  officer  not  being  prefent)  be  abfent 
above  twenty  days  in  fix  months,  nor  (hall  more 

than 


\^ 


than  two  private  men  l?e  abfcnt  ab  the  fame  time 
from  their  troop  or  company,  excepting  fome  cx-r 
traordin^ry  occaTion  fhall  require  it,  of  which 
<)ccafion  the  field  officer  prcfent  with,  and  com- 
martding  the  regiment  or  independant  corps,  is  to 
be  judge. 

Art.  57.  At  every  mutter  the  commanding  of- 
ficer of  each  regioKnt,  troop,  or  company,  rhcil 
prcfent^  fhall  give  to  the  commiflary  of  mutters 
certificates  figned  by  himfelf,  fignifying  how  long 
fuch  officer?,  non-commifiionej  officers,  and  fol- 
dicrs,  who  (hall  not  appear  at  the  faid  mutter,  have 
been  abfent,  and  the  reafon  of  their  abfence; 
which  reafons,  and  the  time  of  ablence,  fhall  be 
inferied  in  the  mutter  rolls,  oppofite  to  the  rcfpec- 
tive  names  of  fuch  abfentees  :  The  faid  certificates 
(hall,  together  with  the  mutter  rolls,  be  by  the 
faid  comml{&ry  tranfmitted  to  the  General,  and  to 
this  or  any  futui'e  Corigrefs  of  the  United  Cplonies, 
or  Committee  appointed  thereby,  within  twenty 
'days  next  after  fuch  mutter  being  taken;  on  failure 
whereof,  the  commiflary  fo  ofl?ending,  fhall  be  dTf- 
charged  from  the  fervice. 

^  Art.  58.  Every  officer  who  fliall  be  conyiaed 
before  a  general  court-martial  of  having  figned  a 
falfe  certificate,  relating  to  the  abfence  of  either 
officers,  non-commiffioned  officer,  or  private  foldier, 
fliall  be  cattjicred. 


i 


^  11 


Art.  59.  Every  officer  who  fhall  knowingly 
make  a  falfe  mutter  of  man  or  horfe,  and  every  of- 
ficer or  coram jfiary,  who  fhdl  willingly  fign,  dired:, 

6 


or 


(    no    ) 

or  allow  the  fignin^  of  the  muftcr-rolls,  whtffel/i 
fuch  falfc  muftcr  is  contained,  fhall,  upon  proof 
made  thereof,  by  two  witneffes,  before  a  general 
tourt-mariial  be  cafhiered,  and  moreover  forfeit  all 
fuch  pay  as  may  be  due  to  him  at  the  time  of  con- 
vidion  for  fuch  offence. 

u4rt.  60.  Any  commiffary  who  fhall  be  convidled 
of  having  taken  any  gift  or  gratuity  on  the  mu- 
ftering  any  regiment,  troop  or  company,  or  on  the 
ligning  the  mufter  rolls,  fliall  be  difplaced  from  hij 
office,  and  forfeit  his  pay  as  in  the  preceding  article- 

y^rt.  61.  Any  officer  who  (hall  prcfume  to  mu- 
fler  any  perfon  as  a  foldier,  who  is  at  other  times 
accuftomed  to  wear  a  livery,  or  who  does  not  actu- 
ally do  his  duty  as  a  foldier,  (hall  be  deemed  guilty 
of  having  made  a  falfc  mufter,  and  fhall  fuffcr  ac- 
cordingly. 

^rt.  62.  Every  officer  who  fhall  knowingly  make 
a  falfc  return  to  the  commander  in  chief  of  thtf 
American  forces,  or  to  any  his  fuperior  officer,  au- 
thorifed  to  call  for  fuch  returns,  of  the  ftatc  of  the 
regiment,  troop,  independent  company,  or  garrifon, 
under  his  command,  or  of  arms,  ammunition, 
cloathing  or  other  flores  thereunto  belonging,  fhall/ 
by  a  court-martial,  be  cafhiered. 

yirt.  63.  The  commanding  officer  of  every  regi- 
ment, troop,  independent  company,  or  garrifdn,  in 
the  fervice  aforefaid,  fhall,  in  the  beginning  of  every 
month  remit  to  the  commander  in  chief  of  faid 
forces  an  exad  return  of  the  flate  of  the  regimenf, 
troop,  independent  company,  or  garrifon  under  hit 
command,  fpecifying  the  names  of  the  officers  not 
then  refiding  at  their  ports,  and  the  rcafon  for,-  and 

tioM 


(    in    ) 

time  of  their  abfcncc  :  Whoever  ihall  be  convicted 
of  having  through  ncgledl  or  defign,  omitted  the 
Tending  fuch  returns,  fhall  be  puniflied  according 
to  the  nature  of  his  crime  by  the  judgment  of  a  ge- 
ncral  court-martial.  ^ 

^r/.  64.  No  futtler  (hall  be  permitted  to  fell 
any  kind  of  liquors  or  victuals,  or  to  keep  their 
Jtoufes  or  (hops  open,  for  the  entertainment  of 
foldiers,  after  nine  at  night,  or  before  the  beating 
of  the  reveilles,  or  upon  Sundays,  during  divine 
fervice  or  fermon.  on  the  penalty  of  being  difmiffed 
from  all  future  futtling.  * 

Art.  65.  All  officers  commanding  in  the  camp 
or  many  forts,  barracks,  or  garrifons,  are  hereby  re- 
quired to  fee  that  the  perfons  permitted  to  futtle, 
Ihall  fupply  the  foldiers  with  good  and  wholefome 
provifions  at  a  reafonable  price,  as  they  fhall  be 
sinfwerable  for  their  neglea. 

Art,  66.  No  officers  commanding  in  any  camp 
garrifons,  forts  or  barracks,  fliall  cither  themfelvf  s 
cxaa  exorbitant  prices  for  houfes  or  ftalls,  let  out 
to  futtlers,  or  (hall  connive  at  the  like  exadions  in 
others  nor  lay  any  duty  or  impofitions  upon,  or  b« 
interefted  in  the  fale  of  fuch  visuals,  liquors,  or 
other  neceffaries  of  life,  which  are  brought  into 
the  camp,  garrifon,  fort,  or  barracks,  for  the  ufe  of 
the  foldiers,  on  the  penalty  of  being  difcharged 
from  the  fervice,  .      °  ^ 

rw'!'c  ^\  ^^^^  'i^'  ^^"^''^^'  o**  Commander  in 
^W  for  the  time  being,  fhall  hav«  full  power  of 

pardoning 


n 


hJl 


(      M»      ) 

pariloning,  or  mitigating  any  of  the  punilhmcnts 
ordered  to  be  it^^dcd,  for  any  of  the  ofFcncc3  men- 
tioned in  the  fo^pgoing  articles  j  and  every  offen- 
der con  vlded  as  <|forcraid,  by  any  regimental  court- 
martial,  may  be  pardoned,  or  have  his  puniflimcnt 
mitigated  by  the  Colonel,  or  ofHccr  commanding 
the  regiment. 

y^rf.  68.  When  any  commifljoned  officer  fliall 
happen  to  die,  pr  he  killed  in  the  fcrvice  of  the 
ynited  Colonies,  the  Major  of  the  regiment,  or  the 
officer  doing  the  Major's  duty  in  his  abfencc,  fliall 
immediately  fccure  all  his  eftedls,  or  equipage  then 
in  «jimp  orqparie«i  and  ftjall, before  the  next  re- 
girpent^l  court-fnartiai,  make  an  inventory  iheicof, 
^^^  forthwith  tranfmit  to  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
qi  the  Congrefs,  or  Affcmbly  of  the  province  in 
j(fh\(;h  the  cpfps  is  ftationed,  or  (hall  happen  to  be 
at  the  time  of  the  death  of  fuch  officer  j  to  the 
end,  that  his  executors  may,  after  paynient  of  his 
debts  in  quarters,  and  interment,  receive  the  over- 
plus, if  any  be,  to  his  or  their  ufe. 


.11.  • 


j^rt,  69.  When  any  non-commiffioned  officer  or 
pFJvatc  foldier  Ml  happen  to  die,  or  be  killed  in  the 
i^rvjce  of  the  United  Colonies,  the  then  coai- 
ipanding  officer  pf  the  troop  or  pompany,  ftiaU,  in 
the  pfcfence  pf  two  other  commirTion^d  officers, 
take  an  account  pf  whatever  effeds  h^  dies  pQ:ffeffexJ 
of,  and  tranfmit  the  fame,  as  in  the  cafe  above  yio- 


{     "3     ) 

,vidcd  for,  in  order  that  the  fame  may  be  fccured 
for,  »nd  paid  to  their  rcfpcdtivc  reprcfentativca.* 

•/«  C  O  N  G  R  E  S  S,  Novmher  7,  1775. 

Refolvtd,  That  the  followinc;  additions  and  alterations  or 
amendments,  be  made  in  the  RULES  and  REGULATIONS 
of  the  Continental  Army,  viz. 

1.  All  pcrfons  convicted  of  holding  a  treacherous  correfpon- 
dcncc  with,  or  giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  (hall  fuffer 
death,  or  fuch  other  puuifhmcnt  as  a  general  court-martial 
Ihall  think  proper. 

2.  All  cominifltoned  officers  found  guilty  by  a  general  court- 
tnarti  a  of  any  fr.  id  cr  embezzlement,  ftiall  forfeit  all  his  pav- 
be  ipjcfaac  ca(hircd,  and  deemed  unfit  for  farther  fervice  as  an 
oiKcer.  ;•  r  i'i  ■ 

;;.  All  non-commilHoned  officers  and  foldiers  convi£led  before 
a  regimental  court-martial  cf  flealing,  embezzling  or  deftroy- 
ing  amnriunition,  provifions,  tools  or  any  thing  belonging  to 
the  public  ftores,  if  a  noti-commi/fioncd  officer,  to  be  reduced 
tl)  the  ranks,  and  punifhed  with  wipping,  not  lefs  n\x^x\  fiftttn^ 
nor  more  than  thirty-nine  lafties,  at  the  difcretion  of  the  court- 
martial  i  if  a  private  foldier,  with  the  fame  corporal  punifh- 
nicnt. 

4.  In  all  cafes  where  a  commiffioned  officer  is  cafhiered  for 
cowardice  or  fraud,  it  be  added  in  the  punifhment,  that  the 
crime,  name,  place  of  abode,  and  punifhment  of  the  delinquent 
be  publiflicd  in  the  News-papers,  in  and  about  the  Camp,  and 
of  that  Colony  from  which  the  offender  came  or  ufually  refldcs: 
After  which  it  (hall  be  deemed  fcandalous  in  any  officer  to 
aflbciate  with  him. 

5.  Any  officer  or  foldier,  who  fhall  begin,  excite,  caufe,  or 
join  in  any  mutiny  or  fedition  in  the  regiment,  troop,  or  com- 
pany to  which  he  belongs,  or  in  any  other  regiment,  tit)op, 
or  company  of  the  continental  forces,  either  by  land  or  fea, 
or  in  any  party,  po(},  detachment,  or  guard,  on  any  pretence 
whatfoever,  fhall  fuffer  death  or  fuch  other  punifhment  as  a 
general  court-martial  fhall  diredl. 

6.  Any  officer  or  foldier  who  (hall  defert  to  the  enemy^  and 
afrerwaids  betaken,  fhall  fuffer  death,  or  fuch  other  punifh- 
ment as  a  general  court-martial  fhall  direft. 

7.  Whatfoever  commiffioned  officer  fliall  be  found  drunk  on 
his  guard,  party,  or  other  duty  under  arms,  fhall  be  cafhitred 
and  drummed  out  of  the  army  with  infamy.;  any  non-com- 
miffioned  officer  or  foldier,  fo  offending,  fhall  be  fentenced  to 


—I,    * 


(   114  ) 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dcanc,  Mr.  Cu(}»Ing  and 
Mr  Hewes,  be  a  Committee  to  revife  them  for  the 
prefs,  and  to  get  them  printed. 

te  whipt,  not  lefs  than  iuienty  nor  more  than  thh;-nine  laflie?, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence. 

g.  Whatfoevcr  officer  or  foiaier^  placed  as  "Otinil,  Jhall 
ie  found  fleeping  upon  his  poft,  orfhall  le?ive  it  before  he  liuU 
W  regularly  relieved,  if  a  commiflioned  officer,  (hall  be  caih- 
iered  and  drummed  out  of  the  army  with  infamy ;  if  a  non- 
miffioned  officer  or  foldiev,  fhall  be  fentenced  to  be  whipped, 
not  lefs  than  twenty  nor  more  than  thirty-nine  laihes,  according 
\q  the,  nature  of  the  offence. 

t).  No  officer  or  foldier  fliall  lie  out  cf  his  quarters  or  can>p, 
without  leave  from  the  commanding  officer  of  the  regiment, 
upcp  penalty,  if  any  officer,  of  being  multSled  one  month's 
j^ay  for  tSe  hrff  offence,  and  caftiiered  for  the  fecond  ;  if  a  non- 
c'ofnniiilion'id  officer  or  foldier,  of  being  confined  feven  days 
on  bread  and  water  for  , the  firft  offence,  and  the  fame  punifh- 
tnent  and  a  forfeiture  of  a  week's  pay  for  the  fecond 

10.  Whatfoever  officer  01  .foldi-^r  fliall  mifbehave  WmfLlf 
before  the  enemy,  or  fliamefully  abandon  any  poft  committed 
to  his  charge,  or  fhajl  fpeak  words  inducing  others  to  do  the 
like,  (hall  lufler  death. 

1 1.  All  public  ftores  taken  in  the  enemy's  camp  or  magazines^ 
jwhether  of  artillery,  ammunition,  cloathing,  or  proviiions, 
Ihall  be  fccured  for  the  ufe  of  the  United  Colonies.  And  all 
commiffioned  officers  found  guilty  by  a  general  court-martial, 
of  embezzling  the  fame,  or  any  of  them,  (hall  forfeit  all  his 
pay^  be  ipfofaiio  cafhiered,  and  deemed  unfit  for  farther  fervice 
as  an  officer.  And  all  non-commiffioned  officers  and  foldiers, 
convicted  before  a  regimental  court-martial  of  ftealing  or  em- 
bezzling the  fame,  if  a  non-commiffioned  officer,  fhall  be  re- 
duced to  the  ranks,  and  punifhed  with  whipping,  not  lefs  than 
fftettiy  nor  more  than  thirty-nine  lalhes,  at  the  difcretion  of  the 
court  martial,  if  a  private  foldier,  with  the  fame  punifliment. 

12.  If  any  officer  or  foldier  fhall  leave  his  poft  or  colours,  in 
time  of  an  engagement,  to  go  in  fearch  of  plunder,  he  ihall, 
if  a  commiffioned  officer  be  caftiiered  and  drummed  out  of  the 
army  with  infamy,  and  forfeit  all  fliare  of  plunder;  if  a  non- 
commiffioned  officer  or  foldier,  be  whipped,  not  lefs  than 
twenty^  nor  more  than  thirty-nine  laflics,  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  offence,  and  fuicic  ;U1  ihMQ  of  plunder  taken  from  the 
enemy. 

13.  livery 


idung  and 
lem  for  the 


t'-nine  laflief, 

entlnil,  fliall 
efore  he  fiuU 
[hall  be  cafli- 
y ;  if  a  non- 
I  be  whipped, 
es,  according 

rters  or  camp, 
the  regiment, 

one  month's 
nd  ;  if  a  non- 
id  (even  days 

fame  puniih- 
nd 

ihave  Wmfi-lf 
aft  committed 
lers  to  do  the 


or  magazmes^ 
tr  provi  lions, 
ies.  And  all 
court-martial, 

forfeit  all  his 
farther  fervice 
s  and  foldiers, 
saling  or  em- 
r,  fhall  be  re- 

not  lefs  than 
cretion  of  the 
punifhment. 
or  colours,  in 
ider,  he  fhall, 
led  out  of  the 
sr ;  if  a  non- 
not  lefs  than 
I  to  the  nature 
aken  from  the 

13.  livery 


{  "J  ) 

Refohed^  That  the  Congrefs  will  on  Monday 
next  rcfolve  itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole, 
io  confider  the  trade  of  thcfe  Colonics. 

17.  Every  oflicer  commanding  a  regiment,  troop,  or  company, 
fhalf,  upon  notice  given  to  him  by  the  commiJTary  of  the 
mufters,  or  from  one  of  his  deputies,  aflemble  the  regiment, 
troop,  or  company  under  his  command,  in  the  next  convenient 
place  for  their  being  muftered,  on  penalty  of  his  being  cafliicred, 
and  muliSlied  of  his  pay. 

14.  At  every  mufter,  the  commanding  officer  of  each  xe- 
giment,  troop,  or  company,  there  nrefent,  ihall  give  to  the 
commiflary  of  mufters  certificates,  figneii  by  himfelf,  fignifyiiig 
how  long  fuch  officers,  non-commiffioned  officers,  and  foldiers, 
who  ftiali  not  appear  at  the  faid  mufter,  have  been  abfent,  and 
the  reafon  of  their  abfence,  which  reafons  and  the  time  of 
abfence,  fhall  be  inferted  in  the  mufter  rolls,  oppofitc  to  the 
names  of  fuch  abfentees:  And  the  furgeons  or  their  mates, 
Ihail  at  the  fame  time  give  to  the  fJomniiirary  of  mufters  a  cer- 
certificate  figned  by  them,  fignifying  the  ftate  of  health  or  fick- 
nefsofthofe  under  their  care,  and  the  faid  certificate?  diajl,  to- 
gether with  the  mufter  rolls,  be  by  the  faid  Commiflary  tranf- 
mitted  to  the  General,  and  to  this  or  any  future  Congrefs  of 
the  United  Colonies  or  Committee  appomted  thereby,  within 
twenty  days  next  after  fuch  mufter  being  taken,  on  failure 
whereof,  the  CommifTary  fo  offending,  ftall  «be  difcharged 
from  the  fervice. 

15.  Every  office;  who  (hall  be  convifted,  before  a  general 
court-martial,  of  having  figned  a  falfc  certificate  relating  to 
the  abfence  of  either  officer,  non-commiffioned  offrer,  orpri- 
vate  foldier  ;  and  every  Surgeon  or  Mate  conviftsd  of  figrting 
a  falfe  certificate,  relating  to  the  health  or  ficicricfs  of  thofe 
under  his  care,  fliall  be  cafhiered. 

16  All  officers  and  foldiers  who  fhall  wilfully,  or  through 
negligence,  dilobey  any  general  or  fpecial  orders,  (hall  be 
puniln:^d  at  the  difcretion  of  a  regimental  court-martial^  where 
the  offence  is  againft  a  regimental  order,  and  at  the  difcretion 
of  a  general  court-martial,  where  the  offence  is  againft  an  order 
given  from  the  commander  in  chiif,  or  the  commanding  of- 
ficer of  any  detachment  or  poitj  and  fuch  general  court-martial 
can  be  had. 


a2 


A  num- 


4 


If, 


(     "6    ) 

A  number  of  letters  and  fpceches  from  the 
Stockbridge  Indians  were  laid  before  the  Congrefs 
and  read. 

Rejbked,  That  the  Committee  for  Indian  affairs, 
do  prepare  proper  talks  to  the  feveral  tribes  of  In- 
dians, for  engaging  the  continuance  of  their  friend- 
{hip  to  us,  and  neutrality  in  our  prefent  unhappy 
difpute  with  Great-Britain. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


SATURDAY,    July  i,    1775. 


.  Met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion  made,  Refohed,  That  in  cafe  any 
agent  of  the  miniftry  (hall  induce  the  Indian  tribes, 
or  any  of  them,  to  commit  adual  hoftilities  againft 
thcfe  colonics,  or  to  enier  into  an  offenfive  alliance 
with  the  Britifli  troops,  thereupon  the  colonies  ought 
to  avail  theipfelves  of  an  alliance  with  fuch  Indian 
nations  as  will  enter  into  the  fame,  to  oppofe  fuch 
Britifh  troops  and  their  Indian  allies. 

Letters  being  received  by  exprefs  from  General 
Schuyler,  which  required  an  immediate  anfwer, 
were  laid  before  Congrefs,  and  after  due  delibera- 
tion, an  anfwer  was  returned. 

On  motion  made,  Refohed,  That  Lieutenant 
Patrick  Moncrief  have  liberty  to  return  to  England, 
on  giving  his  parole  of  honour,  that  he  will  not  a6t 
againft  the  Americans  in  the  prefent  controverfy 
between  Great- Britain  and  ihefe  Colonies.  v 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o'clock. 


MO  N- 


(     117    ) 


MONDAY,    July  3,   ,775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Sundry  letters  being  laid  before  the  Con^refs  were 
read.  ^      * 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  Congrefs 
refolved  itfelf  into  a  committee  of  the  whole^  to 
confider  the  trade  of  thefe  colonies,  and  after  fome 
time,  the  Prefident  refumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Ward  reported  a  refoiution  they  had  come  to. 

The  refoiution  of  the   committee   being  read 
was  at  the  defire  of  the  colony  of  South-Clrolinal 
referred  for  farther  confideration  till  to-morrow. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


TUESDAY. 


July  4,    1775. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  report  from  the  committee  of  the  whole, 
bemg  refumed  and  debated,  was  agreed  to  as  follows : 

Refolved  That  two  afts  pafled  in  the  firftfeffion 
of  the  prderit  Parliament,  the  one  entitled,  «'  An 
•  to  rcftram  the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  pro- 
vince of  Maflachufett's-Bay  and  New-Hampfhire, 
andcolon.es  of  Connedicut  and  Rhode-Iflani  and 
Providence  Plantation,  in  North-America,  to  Great- 
Britain,  Ireland  and  the  BritiHi  Illands  in  the  Weft- 
Indies  ;  and  to  prohibit  fuch  Provinces  and  Colo- 
nies from  carrying  on  any  fiihery  on  the  Banks  of 
Newfoundland,  or  other  places  therein  mentioned, 

under 


jtiji  iir>  ■«  m 


(  iiS  ) 
under  certain  conditions  and  limitations."  The 
other  entitled,  "  An  Adt  to  reftrain  the  trade  and 
commerce  of  the  colonies  of  New-Jerfey,  Pennfyl- 
vania,  Maryland,  Virginia  and  South-Carolina,  to 
Great-Britain,  Ireland  and  the  Bntifti  Iflands  m  the 
Weft -Indies,  under  certain  conditions  and  liii^ita- 
tions,"are  unconftitutional,  oppreflive  and  cruel ; 
and  that  the  commercial  oppofition  of  thefe  colo- 
nies, to  certain  acls  enumerated  in  the  Affoqation 
of  thelaftCongrefs.  ought  to  be  made  agamlt  ihele, 
until  they  are  repealed. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  immediately  pub- 

'  The  petition  to  the  King  being  again  read,  after 
fome  debate,  the  further  confideration  pf  it  was  de- 
ferred till  to-morrow.  ' 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'pl^cH. 

WEDNESDAY,   July  5,   1775- 

.    Met  according  to  adjournment.  r       ^ 

Several  letters  were  laid  before  the  Congreft  and 

''t*  appearing  that  Governor  Philip  Skene  and  Mr. 
Lundy  have  defigns  inimical  to  America,        _     . 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Dele- 
gates  of  the  colony  of  Pennfylvania,  to^havc  the 
Irder  of  Congrefs  of  the  27th  of  June  aft,  re^ed- 
L  the  fending  Governor  Skene  to  Connedticut, 
immediately  carried  into  execution. 

Refohedl  That  Mr.  Lundy  be  fent  under  guard 
along  with  Governor  Skene  to  Conneaicut  there 
to  be  confined  in  the  fame  manner  as  is  ordered  with 
rcfpea  to  Governor  Skene.  ^^^^^^^^^^ 


(     119     ) 

Refohed,  That  fuch  provifion  be  made  for  the 
fupport  of  Governor  Skene  and  Mr.  Lundy,  as 
Governor  Trumbull  fhall  ihink  proper,  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Ordered,  That  the  Prefident  write  to  Governor 
Trumbull  90  this  fubjeft,  and  cnclofe  him  the 
above  orders  and  refolves. 

The  Congrefs  then  refumed  the  confideration  of 
the  petition  to  the  King,  and  the  fame  being  de- 
bated by  paragraphs,  was  agreed  to,  and  ordered  to 
be  engrofled. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock. 


THURSDAY,    July  6,    1775. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Congrefs  took  into  confideration  the  addrefs 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Great-Britain,  and  after  fome 
debate,  the  fame  was  re-committed. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  declaration  was  re- 
commitcd  brought  in  the  fame,  which  being  again 
read  and  debated  by  paragra|yhs,  was  agreed  to  a? 
follows: 


( 


A  DE- 


(       I20       ) 


A  DECLARATION  by  the  Representatives 
of  the  United  Colonies  of  North- America,  now 
met  in  Congrefs,  at  Philadelphia,  fetting  forth  the 
caufes  and  necejity  of  their  taking  up  Arms, 

If  it  was  poffible  for  men,  who  exercife  their 
reafon  to  believe,  that  the  Divine  Author  of  our 
exiftence,  intended  a  part  of  the  human  race  to  hold 
an  abfolute  property  in,  and  an  unbounded  power 
over  others,'  marked  out  by  his  infinite  goodnefs 
and  wiidom,  as  the  objeds  of  a  legal  domination 
never  rightfully  refiflable,  however  fevere  and  op- 
preffive,  the  iiihubitants  of  thefe  colonies  might  at 
leait  require  from  the  Parliament  of  Great-Britain 
fome  evidence,  that  this  dreadful  authority  over 
them  has  been  granted  to  that  body.  But  a  reve- 
rence for  our  great  Creator,  principles  of  humanity, 
and  the  dilates  of  common  fenle,  muft  convince 
all  thofe  who  refle<ft  upon  the  fubjeft,  that  govern- 
ment was  inftituted  to  promote  the  welfare  of  man- 
kind, and  ought  to  be  adminiftered  for  the  attain- 
ment of  that  end.  The  legiflature  of  Great-Bri- 
tain, however,  (Simulated  by  an  inordinate  pallion 
for  a  power  not  only  unjuftifiable,  but  which  they 
know  to  be  peculiarly  reprobated  by  the  very  con- 
ftitution  of  that  kingdom,  and  defperate  of  fuccefs 
in  any  mode  of  conteft,  where  regard  (hould  be  had 
to  truth,  law  or  right,  have  at  length,  deferting 
thofe,  attempted  to  efFea:  their  cruel  and  impolitic 
purpofe  of  enflaving  thefe  colonies  by  violence,  and 
have  thereby  rendered  it  neceflary  for  us  to  clofe 
with   their   laft  appeal,    from   Reafon  to   Arms. 

Yet,    however   blinded    that   affembly    may 

be,     by    their    intemperate    rage    for    unlimited 
5  domi= 


.« 


JTATIV^S 

ericut  now 
'g  forth  the 
drms, 

srcife  their 
hor  of  our 
ace  to  hold 
ided  power 
e  goodnefs 
lomination 
re  and  op- 
;s  might  at 
eat-Biitain 
hority  over 
3ut  a  reve- 
humanity, 
ft  convince 
lat  govern - 
ire  of  *nan- 
the  attain- 
Great-Bri- 
late  pallion 
which  they 
;  very  con- 
B  of  fuccefs 
ould  be  had 
),  deferting 
d  impolitic 
)lence,  and 
us  to  clofe 

to   Arms, 
mbly    may 

unlimited 
doir*i= 


(       121       ) 

domination,  fo  to  flight  juftice  and  the  opinion  of 
mankmd.  we  efteem  ourfelves  bound  by  obliga- 

Known  thejufticeof  ourcaufe. 
G^^tiUf'^Vl-   ':"'?*''itants  of  the  ifland  of 

tL^°"l  "  Z"'^'''""  ^°'  "^''  ""d  religious 
freedom.     At  the  expcnce  of  their  blood,  at  the 

hazard  of  their  fortunes,  without  the  leaft  chage 
to  the  country  from  which  they  removed,  by  uT 
ceafing  labour  and  an  unconquerable  fpirt,  they 

^wtof  a""'""  V"  'h-.diftantand  inhof^itaU^ 
wilds  of  America,  then  filled  with  numerous  and 
warlike    nations  of  barbarians-Societies  or  ^o- 

for3""'/"*\^  ^"'^  ^'^'^  legiflatures,  w!ra 
formed  under  charters  from  the%rown.  and  an 
harmonious  intercourfe  was  eftabliflied  between 
the  colonies  and  the  kingdom  from  which  th!* 
derived  their  origin.  The  mutual  benefits  of  tW s 
union  became  in  a  fliort  time  fo  extraordinary,  a, 
to  excite  aftpmihment.  It  is  univerfally  confeffed 
that  the  amazing  mcreafe  of  the  wealth,  ftrengrh 
and  navigation  of  the  realm,  arofe  from  thh 
fource ,  and  the  m!  =fter.  who  fo  wifely  an"  fuc- 
cefsful ly  direfted  t...  meafures  of  Great-Britain 

\lt'  irr^  ?"■'""'>'  '*'='^'^'-='^'  that  thefe  co- 
lonies  enabled  her  to  triumph  over  her  enemies.l 
Towards  the  conclufion  of  that  war,  it  pleafed 

FromT?"/°r''  "  "•'""g^  inhiscounfels.- 
From  that  fatal  moment,  the  affairs  of  the  Bri- 

dually  Aiding  from  the  fummit  of  glorious  pfof- 
perity,  to  which  they  had  been  advanced  by  rfie 

ZT,  r^^'''""«°f  one  ™an,  areatlengtifdTf! 
tufted  by  the  convulfions,  that  now  fliake  it  coits 

.    ^  decpeft 


KJ^^^S^^JB^ 


(       122      ) 

decpcft  foundatic.ns.— The  new  miniflry  finding 
the  brave  foes  of  Britain,  though  frequently  de- 
feated, yet  ftiU  contending,  took  up  the  unfor- 
tunate idea  of  granting  them  a  hafty  peace,  and 
of  then  fubduing  her  faithful  friends.  ^ 

Thefe  devoted  colonies  vtrcre  judged  to  be  in 
fuch  a  ftatej  as  to  prefent  victories  without  blood- 
rhed,  and  all  the  eafy  emoluments  of  ftatuteablc 
plunder.— The  uninterrupted  tenor  of  their  peace- 
able and  refpeaful  behaviour  from  the  bcgmnmg 
of  colonization,  their  dutiful,  zealous  and  ufeful 
Tervices  during  the  war,  tho*  fo  recently  and  am- 
ply acknowledged,  in  the  moft  honourable  manner 
by  his  Majeily,  by  the  late  King,  and  by  Parlia- 
ment, could  riot  fave  them  from  the  meditated 
innovations.— Parliament  was  influenced  to  adopt 
the  pernicious  projedl,  and  affuming  a  new  power 
over  them,  have  in  the  courfe  of  eleven  years, 
given  fuch  decifive  fpecimens  of  the  fpirit  and 
confequences  attending  this  power,  as  to  leave  no 
doubt  concerning  the  effeds  of  acquiefcence  un- 
der it.     They  have  undertaken  to  give  and  grant 
our  money  without  our  confent,  though  we  have 
ever  exercifed  an  exclufive  right   to  difpofe  of 
bur  own  property ;  ftatutcs  have  been  pafTed  for 
extending  the  jurifdidion  of  courts  of  Admiralty 
and  Vice  Admiralty  beyond  their  ancient  limits; 
For  depriving    us  of    the  accuftomed  and    in- 
eftimable     privilege    of  trial  by  jury   in    cafe;; 
affeding    both  life   and  property  j    for   fufpend- 
ing    the   legiflature    of    one   of  the    colonies; 
for    interdicting   all    commerce    to   the  capital 
of  another ;  and  for  altering,  fundamentally  the 
form  of  government  eftabliihed  by  charter,  and 
kcLircd  by  adts  of  its  own  legiflature  folemnly 

confirmed 


(    '^3    ) 

confirmed  by  the  crown ;  for  exempting  the 
"  murderers  of  colonifts  from  legal  trial,  and  in 
efFedt,  from  punifliment;  for  eredingin  a  neigh- 
bouring province,  acquired  by  the  joint  arms  of 
Great-Britain  and  America,  a  defpotifm  dangei- 
rous  to  our  very  exifteijce  j  and  for  quartering  fol- 
diers  upon  the  colonifts  in  time  of  profound  peace. 
It  has  alfo  been  refolved  in  parliament,  that  co- 
lonifts charged  with  committing  certain  offences, 
fhall  be  tranfported  to  England  to  be  tried. 

But  why  fhould  we  enumerate  our  injuries  in 
detail  ?  By  one  ftatute  it  is  declared,  that  parlia- 
ment can  "  of  right  make  laws  to  bind  us  in  all 
cajes  whatfeever:'     What  is  to  defend  us  againft: 
fo  enormous,  fo  unlimited  a  power  ?  Not  a  (in- 
gle man  of  thofe  who  afllime  it,  is  chofen  by  us  ; 
or  is  fubjed  to  our  controul  or  influence ;  but  on 
the  contrary,  they  are  all  of  them  exempt  from 
the  operation  of  fuch  laws,  and   an  American 
revenue,  if  not  diverted  from  theoftenfible  pur- 
pofes  for  which  it  is  raifed,  would  adually  lighten 
their  pwn  burdens  in  proportion,  as  they  increafe 
ours.     We  faw  the  mifery  to  which  fuch  defpo- 
tifm would   rediuce  us.     We  for  ten  years  incef- 
fantly  and  ineffedlually  befieged  the  Throne  as 
fapplicants  -,  we  reafoned,  we  remonftrated  with 
parliament  in  the  moft  niild  and  decent  language. 
Adminiftration,  lenfible  that  we  fliould  regard 
thefe  oppreftive  meafures  as  freemen  ought  to  do, 
fent  over  fleets  and  armies  to  enforce  them.     The 
indignation  of  the  Americans  was  roufed,  it  is 
true;  but  it  was  the  indignation  of  a  virtuous,  loyal 
and   afl^edionate  people.     A   Congrefs  of  Dele- 
gates from  the  united  colonies  was  afllembled  at 
Philadelphia,  on  the  fifth  day  of  laft  September. 

R2  We 


-  *'!fr^;.»a*»»---' 


(      124      ) 

We  refolved  again  to  offer  an  humble  and  dutiful 
petition  to  the  King,  and  alfo  addrcffed  our  fel- 
low iubjeas  of  Great-Britain.  Wc  have  purfued 
every  temperate,  every  rcfpeftful  meafure,  we 
have  even  proceeded  to  break  off  our  commercial 
intercourfe  with  our  fellow  fubjedts,  as  the  laf: 
peaceble  admonition,  that  our  attachment  to  no 
nation  upon  earth  (hould  lupplant  our  attach- 
ment to  liberty.  —This,  wc  flattered  ourfelve?, 
was  the  ultimate  ftep  of  the  controverfy :  But 
fubfequent  events  have  {hewn,  how  vain  was  this 
hope  of  finding  moderation  in  our  enemies. 

Seveial  threatening  expreflions  againft  the  Co- 
lonies were  inferted  in  his  Majefty's  Speech  ;  our 
petition,  though  we  were  told  it  was  a  decent  one, 
that  his  Majefty  had  been  pleafed  to  receive  it  gra- 
cioufly,  and   to  promife  laying  it  before  his  Par- 
liament, was  huddled  into  both  houfes  among  a 
bundle  of  American  papers,  and  there  negleded. 
The  Lords  and  Commons  in  their  addrefs,  in  the 
month  of  February,  faid,  "  that  a  rebellion  at 
that  time  adlually  exifted  within  the  province  of 
Maffachufett's-Bay ;  and  that  thofe  concerned  in 
it,  had  been  countenanced   and  encouraged  by 
unlawful  combinations  and  engagements,  entered 
into  by  his  Majefty's  fubjedts  in  feveral  of  the 
other  Colonies;  and  therefore  they  befought  his 
Majefty,  that  he  would  take  the  moft  effedtual 
meafures  to  inforce  due  obedience  to  the  laws  and 
authority  of  the  fupreme  legiflature." — Soon  after, 
the  commercial  intercourfe  of  whole  Colonies, 
with  foreign  countries,  and  with  each  other,  was 
cut    off  by  an  aft  of  Parliament ;  by  another, 
feveral  of    them  were  entirely   prohibited  from 
ihe    fifheries    in    the    feas    near    their    coafts, 

on 


on  which  they  always  depended  for*  theif 
fuftenance  ;  and  large  reinforcements  of  (hips  and 
troops  were  immediately  lent  over  to  General 
Gage. 

Fruitlefs  were  all  the  intreaties,  arguments,  and 
eloquence  of  an  illuftriou^  band  of  the  moft  diftin- 
guifhed  Peers  and  Commoners,  who  nobly  and 
ftrenuoufly  affcrted  the  juftice  of  our  cauff,  tf> 
ftay,  or  even  to  mitigate  the  hecdlefs  fury  with 
which  thefe  accumulated  and  unexampled  out- 
rages were  hurried  on.— Equally  fruitlefs  was  the 
interference  of  the  city  of  London,  ofBriftol,  and 
many  other  refpeaable  towns  in  our  favour.  Par- 
liament adopted  an  infidious  manoeuvre  calculated 
to  divide  us,  to  cftablifh  a  perpetual  audion  of  tax- 
ations where  Colony  fhould  bid  againft  Colony, 
all  of  them  uninformed  what  ranfom  would  re- 
deem their  lives,  and  thus  to  extort  from  us,  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet,  the  unknown  fums  that 
(hould  be  fufEcient  to  gratify,  if  poflible  to  grati- 
fy, minifterial  rapacity,  with  the  miferable  in- 
dulgence left  to  us  of  raifing,  in  our  own  mod^, 
the  prefcribed  tribute.  What  terms  more  rigid 
and  humilating  could  have  been  didated  by  re- 
morfelcfs  vidors  to  conquered  enemies  ?  In  our 
circumftances,  to  accept  them,  would  be  to  deferve 
them. 

Soon  after  the  intelligence  of  thefe  proceedings 
arrived  on  this  continent.  General  Gage,  who  in 
the  courfe  of  the  lad  year,  had  taken  pofTeflion  of 
the  town  of  Bofton,  in  the  province  of  MafTa- 
chufett's-Bay,  and  flill  occupied  it  as  a  garrifon, 
on  the  19th  day  of  April,  fent  out  from  that  place 
a  large  detachment  of  his  army,  who  made  an 
ynprovoked  affault  on  the  inhabitants  of  the  faid 
province,  at  the  town  of  Lexington,  as  appears  by 

th's 


•'«'•««*-., 


-*»-■ 


(     126     ) 

the  aiTidavits  of  a  great  number  of  pcrfons.  hint 
of  whom  were   officers  and  loldiers  of  that  de- 
tachment, murdered  eight  of  the  inhabitants,  and 
wounded  many  others.     From  thence  the  troops 
proceeded  in  warlike  array  to  the  town  ot  Con- 
cord, where  they  fct  upon  another  party  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  fame  province,  kilhng  feveral, 
and  wounding  more,  until  compelled  to  retreat  by 
the  country  people  fuddcnly  afTembled  to  repel 
this  cruel  aggreffion.  Hoftilitics,  thus  commence^ 
by  the  Britifh  troops,  have  been  fince  profecuted 
by  them  without  regard  to  faith  or  rcputation.-- 
Thc  inhabitants  of  Bofton  being  confined  within 
that  town   by  the  General  their  Governor,  anyi 
having,  in  order  to  procure  their  difmiflion,  en.- 
tcred  into  a  treaty  with  him,  it  wasftipulated  that 
the  faid  inhabitants  having  depofited  their  arms 
with  their  own  magiftrates,  (hould  have  liberty  to 
depart,  taking  with  them  their  other  effeas.  Tjiey 
accordingly  delivered  up  their  arms,  but  in  open 
violation  of  honour,  in  defiance  of  the  obligation 
of  treaties,  which  even  favage  nations  efteenied 
facred,  the  Governor  ordered  the  armsdepolited  ^s 
aforefaid,  that  they  might  be  preferved  for  their 
owners,  to  be  leizcd  by  a  body  of  foldiers ;  de- 
tained the  greatefl:  part  of  the  inhabitants  in  the 
town,  and  compelled  the  few  who  were  permitted 
to  retire,    to  leave    their    moll  valuable  efteds 

-behind.  . 

By  this  perfidy,  wives  are  feparated  from  their 
bulbands,  children  from  their  parents,  the  aged 
an<J  the  fick  froiRi  their  relations  and  friends,  who 
widi  to  attend  and  comfort  them  -,  and  thofe  who 
bave^een  ufed  to  live  in  plenty,  and  even  ele- 
gance,, ^re  reduced  to  deplorable  diftreis.  ^ 


(     ,27     )  .•     .  .      . 

The  General  further  emulating  his  minlftcrial 
mafters,  by  a  proclamation  bearing  date  on  tho 
X2th  day  of  June,  after  venting  the  grofTeft  falfc- 
hoods,  and  calumnies  againft  tnc  good  people  of 
thefe  Colonies,  proccecfs  to  *'  declare  them  all, 
**  either  by  name  or  dcfcription,  to  be  rebels  and 
**  traitors,  to  fuperfede  the  courfe  of  the  com- 
**  mon  law,  and  inftead  thereof  to  publifti  and 
**  order  the  u(c  and  cxercife  of  the  law  martial.'* 
His  troops  have  butchered  our  countrymen  >  have 
wantonly  burnt  Charleftown,  befidcs  a  confider- 
able  number  of  houfes  in  other  places ;  our  fliips 
and  vellels  arc  fcized;  the  necefl'ary  fupplies  ot 
provifions  are  intercepted,  and  he  is  exerting  hi« 
iitmod  power  to  fpread  deArudtion  and  deve^latior^ 
around  him. 

We  have  received  certain  intelligence,  that  Ge- 
neral Garletorl,  the  governor  of  Canada,  is  inftiga- 
ting  the  people  of  that  province  and  the  Indians 
to  fall  upon  us ;  and  we  have  but  too  much  rea- 
fon  to  apprehend,  that  fchemes  have  been  formed 
to  excite  domeftic  enemies  againft  us.  In  brief, 
a  part  of  thefe  Colonies  now  feel,  and  all  of  them 
are  fure  of  feeling,  as  far  as  the  vengeance  of  ad- 
miniftration  can  infli(5t  them,  the  complicated  ca-^ 
lamities  of  fire,  fword,  and  famine. — We  are  re- 
duced to  the  alternative  of  chuling  an  uncondi- 
tional fubmiflion  to  the  tyranny  of  irritated  mi- 
nifters,  or  rcfiftance  by  force. — The  latter  is  our 
choi9e. — We  have  counted  the  coft  of  this  con- 
teft,  and  find  nothing  fo  dreadful  as  voluntary 
flavery. — Honor,  juftice,  and  humanity  forbid  us 
tamvly  to  furrender  that  freedom  which  we  re- 
ceived from  our  gallant  anceftors,  and  which  our 
innocent  pofterity  have  a  right  to  receive  from  us. 
We  cannot  endure  the  infamy  and  ^uiltofrelign- 

in^ 


iivg  fucceeding  generations  to  that  wretchedners 
which  inevitabljr  awaits  them^  if  Wc  bately  entail 
hereditary  bondage  upon  them. 

Our  cauie  is  jail.     Our  union  is  perfed.     Our 
Internal  refourccg   are   great;    and  if  neccffary, 
foreign  afliftance  is  undoubtedly  attainable.— W^ 
gratefully  acknowledge,  as  fignal  inftances  of  the 
Divine  favour  towards  us,  that  his  Providence 
^ould  not  permit  us  to  be  calM  into  this  fevere 
controverfy,  until  we  were  grown  up  to  our  prer 
rent  ftrength.   had  been  previoufly  exercifed  m 
warlike  operations,  and  poffeflcd  of  the  means  of 
defending  ourfelves.— With  hearts  fortified  with 
thefe  animating  reflexion?,  we  moft  folcmnly,  be* 
fore  God  and  the  world  declare,  that,  cxertmg 
ike  utmoft  energy  of  thofe  powers,  which  oai? 
bencficient  Creatpr  hath  gracioutty  beftowed  upori 
iis,  the  arms  we  have  been  compelled  by  our 
enemies  to  affume,  we  will,  in  defiance  of  every 
hazard,  with'Uhabating  firmnefs  and  perfcverance, 
embloy  for  the  prefervation  of  our  liberties,  being 
vrith  one  mind  refolved,  to  die  Freemen  rathe^ 
than  to  live  Slaves. 

*" -Left  this  declaration  (hould  difquiet  the  mmds 
of  our  friends  and  fellow- fubjedts  in  any  part  of 
the  empire,  we  affure  them  that  we  mean  not 
to  dilTolve  that  Union  which  has  fo  long  and 
fo  happily  fubfiftcd  between  us*  and  which  we 

fmcerely  wifh  to  fee  reftored. Neceflity  has 

not  yet  driven  us  into  ihat  defperate  mcafarc, 
or    induced    us    to  excite    any  other  naiioi.to 

war  againft  them. We  have  not    raifed  ar^ 

mics  with  ambitious  defigns  of  feparating  from 
Great-Britain,  and  cftabliOiing  independent  ftates. 
—We  fight  not  for  glory  or  for  conqueft.  We 
exhibit  to  mankind  the  remarkable  fpe^aclc  of  a 
people  attacked  by  unprovoked  enemies,  without 


(     129    ) 

any  imputation,  or  even  fufpicion,  of  oiFence. 
They  boaft  of  their  privileges  and  civilization, 
and  yet  offer  no  milder  conditions  than  fervitude 
or  death. — 

In  our  own  native  land,  in  defence  of  the  free- 
dom that  is  our  hirth-right,  and  which  we  ever 
enjoyed  till  the  late  violation  of  it— for  the  pro- 
tedion  of  our  property,  acquired  folely  by  the' 
honeft  induftry  of  our  fore-fathers  and  ourfelves, 
againft  violence  aftually  offered,  we  have  taken 
up  arms.  We  {hall  lay  them  down  when  hofti- 
lities  (hall  ceafe  on  the  part  of  the  aggreffors,  and 
aU  danger  of  their  being  renewed  fhall  be  remov-- 
ed,  and  not  before. 

With  an  humble  confidence  in  the  mercies  of 
the  fupreme  and  impartial  Judge  and  Ruler  of 
the  Univerfe,  we  mofl  devotly  implore  his  divine 
goodnefs  to  proted:  us  happily  through  this  great 
conflid,  to  difpofe  our  adverfaries  to  reconcilia- 
tion on  reafonable  terms,  and  thereby  to  relieve 
the  empire  from  the  calamities  of  civil  war. 

On  a  motion  made,  Refohed,  That  a  letter  be 
prepared  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and 
Livery  of  the  city  of  London,  expreffing  the  thanks 
of  this  Congrefs,  for  their  virtuous  and  fpirited 
oppofition  to  the  opprefTive  and  ruinous  fyflem  of 
Colony  Adminiflration  adopted  by  the  Britifh  Mi- 
niflry. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to 
draught  an  Addrefs  to  the  people  of  Great- Bri- 
tain, do  prepare  this. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o*clock. 
FRIDAY,  July  7,   1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  Committee  to  whom  the  Addrefs  to  the 
^vupiw  wi  vjri  vut-isriijiin  wasre-couiniitieu,  Drouglit 
in  the  fame,  which  being  again  read  and  deba- 

S  ted. 


,; 


(     13°    5 

ted,  the  farther  confidcration  thereof  was  deferred 

till  to-morroW. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o  clock. 

SATURDAY,  July  8,  1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
The  petition  to  the  King  being  engroffed,  was 
compared  at  the  table  and  figned  by  the  Members 

^  To'tL  KING'S  Moft  Excellent  MAJESTY. 
Moft  gracious  Sovereing,  „      r  ^.    r> 

■  WE  your  Majefty's  faithful  fubjeds  of  the  Co-: 
lonies  of  New-tlamp{hire,  Maffachufett  s-Bay, , 
Rhode-Ifland,  and  Providence  Plantations^  Con- 
neaicut,  New-York,  New-Jerfey,  Pennlylva- 
nia,  the  Counties  of  New-Caftle,  Kent  and  Suffex 
on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia.  North-Caro- 
lina, and  South-Carolina,  in  behalf  of  ourfelves. 
and  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  Colonies,  who  have 
deputed  us  to  reprefent  them  in  General  Congrefs, 
entreat  your  Majefty's  gracious  attention  to  this 

our  humble  petition.  .     «„  j 

The  union  between  our  Mother  Country  and 
thefe  Colonies,  and  the  energy  or  mild  and  jult 
government,  produced  benefits  fo  remarkably 
important,  and  afforded  fuch  an  afTurance  of 
their  permanency  and  increafe,  that  the  won- 
der and  envy  of  other  nations  were  excited, 
while  they  beheld  Great^Britain  rifmg  to  a  pow- 
er the  moft  extraordinary,  the  world  had   ever 

known. 

Her  rivals,  obferving  that  there  was  no  pro- 
bability of  this  happy  connexion  being  broken 
by  civil  diilentions,  and  apprehending  its  future 
effeds,  if  left  any  longer  undifturbed,  refolved  to 
«.«„.nf  1-.pr  receiving  fuch  continual  and  formi- 
dable acceflions  of  wealth  and  flrength,  by  check- 


(  IJI  ) 

ing  the  growth  of  thofe  fettlements  from  which 
they  were  to  be  derived. 

In  the  profecution  of  this  attempt,  events  fo  , 
unfavourable  to  the  defign  took  place,  that  every 
friend  to  the  interefl:  of  Great-Britain  and  thefc 
Colojiies,  entertained  pleafing  and  reafonable  es- 
peiitations  of  feeing  an  additional  force  and  exer- 
tion immediately  given  to  the  operations  of  the 
union  hitherto  experienced,  by  an  enlargement 
of  the  dominions  of  the  crown,  and  the  removal 
of  ancient  and  warlike  enemies  to  a  greater  dif- 
tance. 

At  the  conclufion  thereof  of  the  late  war,  the 
moil  glorious  and  advantageous  that  ever  had 
been  carried  on  by  Britith  Arms,  your  loyal  co- 
lonifts,  having  contributed  to  its  fuccefs,  by  fuch 
repeated  and  ftrenuous  exertions,  as  frequently 
procured  them  the  diftinguiflied  approbation  of 
your  Majefty,  of  the  late  King,  and  of  Parlia- 
ment, doubted  not,  but  that  they  fliould  be  per- 
mitted, with  the  reft  of  the  empire,  to  (hare  in 
the  bleHings  of  peace,  and  the  emoluments  of 
viiftory  and  conqueft. 

While  thefe  recent  and  honourable  acknow- 
ledgements of  their  merits  remained  on  record 
in  the  journals  and  ads  of  that  auguft  legifla- 
ture,  the  Parliament,  undefaced  by  the  im- 
putation or  even  the  fufpicion  of  any  of- 
fence, they  were  alarmed  by  a  new  fyftem  of 
ftatuteS  and  regulations  adopted  for  the  admi- 
niftration  of  the  Colonies,  that  filled  their  minds 
with  the  moft  painful  fears  and  jealoufies ;  and, 
to  their  inexpreflible  aftoniihment,  perceived  the 
danger  of  a  foreign  quarrel  quickly  fucceeded  by 
domeftic  danger,  in  their  judgment  of  a  more 


jr.i    I-! 


S  z 


Nor 


<    132^    ) 

Nor  were  thefe  anxieties  alleviated  by  any  ten- 
dency in  this  fyftem  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
their  Mother  Country.  For  though  its  efFeds 
were  more  immediately  felt  by  them,  yet  its  in- 
fluence appeared  to  be  injurious  to  the  commerce 
and  profperity  of  Great  Britain. 

Wc  (hall  decline  the  ungrateful  tafk  of  defcrib- 
ing  the  irkfome  variety  of  artifices,  pradtifed  by 
many  of  your  Majefty's  minifters,  the  delufive 
pretences,  fruitlefs  terrors,  and  unavailing  feveri- 
ties  that  have  from  time  to  time  been  dealt  out  by 
them,  in  their  attempts  to  execute  this  impolitic 
plan,  or  of  tracing  through  a  ferics  of  years  paft 
the  progrefs  of  the  unhappy  differences  between 
Great  Britain  and  thefe  Colonies,  that  have  flowed 
from  this  fatal  fource. 

Your  Majefty's  minifters,  perfevering  in  their 
meafures,  and  proceeding  to  open  hoftilities  for 
enforcing  them,  have  compelled  us  to  arm  in  our 
own  defence,  and  have  engaged  us  in  a  contro- 
verfy  fo  peculiarly  abhorrent  to  the  affedtions  of 
your  ftill  faithful  Colonifts,  that  when  we  confi- 
der  whom  we  muft  oppofe  in  this  conteft,  and  if 
it  continues,  what  may  be  the  confequences,  our 
own  particular  misfortunes  are  accounted  by  us 
only  as  parts  of  our  diftrefs. 

Knowing  to  what  violent  refentments  and  in- 
curable animofities,  civil  difcords  are  aptto  exaf- 
perate  and  inflame  the  contending  parties^  we 
think  ourfelves  required  by  indifpenfible  obliga- 
tions to  Almighty  God,  to  your  Majefty,  to  our 
fellovv-fubjeas,  and  to  ourfelves,  immediately  to 
ufe  all  the  means  in  our  power,  not  incompatible 
with  our  fafety,  for  flopping  the  further  eff^uflpn 
of  blood,  and  for  averting  the  impending  calami- 
ties that  threaten  the  Britifli  empire. 

Thus  called  upon  to  addrefs  your  Majefty  on 

affairs 


(     133    ) 

affairs  of  fuch  moment  to  America,  and  probably 
to  all  your  dominions,  we  are  earneftly  defirous 
of  performing  this  office,  with  the  utmoft  defe- 
rence for  your  Majefty  ;  and  we  therefore  pray, 
that  your  Majefty's  royal  magnanimity  and  benevo- 
lence may  make  the  moft  favourable  conftruc- 
tions  of  our  exprefllbns  ^n  fo  uncommon  an  oc- 
cafion.  Could  we  reprefent,  ip  their  full  force, 
the  fentiments  that  agitate  the  minds  of  us  your 
dutiful  fubjeas,  we  are  perfuaded,  your  Majefly 
would  afcribe  any  feeming  deviation  from  reve- 
rence in  our  language,  and  even  in  our  condua:, 
not  to  any  reprehenfible  intention,  but  to  the 
impofTibility  of  reconciling  the  ufual  appearances 
of  refpea  with  a  juft  attention  to  our  own  prefer- 
vation  againft  thefe  artful  and  cruel  enemies,  who 
abufe  your  royal  confidence  and  authority,  for  the 
purpofe  of  affeding  our  deftrua:ion. 

Attached  to  your  Majefty's  perfon,  family,  and 
government,  with  all  devotion  that  principle  and 
affedion  can  infpire,  connedied  with  Great  Bri- 
tain by  the  ftrongeft  ties  that  can  unite  focieties, 
and  deploring  every  event  that  tends  in  any  degree 
to  weaken  them,  we  folemnly  aflure  your  Ma- 
jefty, that  we  not  only  moft  ardently  defire  the 
former  harmony  between  her  and  thcie  Colonies 
may  be  reftored ;  but  that  a  concord  may  be  efta- 
bliftied  between  them  upon  fo  firm  a  bafis  as  to 
perpetuate  its  bleiTings  uninterrupted  by  any  fu- 
ture diflentions  to  fucceeding  generations  in  both 
countries,  and  to  tranfmit  your  Majefty's  name  to 
poftcrity,  adorned  with  that  fignal  and  lafting 
glory,  that  has  attended  the  memory  of  thole 
illuftrious  perfonages,  whofe  virtues  anvl  abilities 
have  extricated  ftates  from  dangerous  convulfions, 
and,  bv  fecurino-  hannineft;  tn  nthers.  hcivi^  f^rf^pA 
the  moft  noble  and  durable  monuments  to  their 
own  fame.  'W'c 


(^34) 
We  beg  leave  farther  to  aflTure  your  Majefty, 
that  notwithftanding  the  fufferings  of  your  loyal 
Colonifts,  during  the  courfc  of  this  prefent  con- 
tiaverfy,  our  breads  retain  too  tender  a  regard  for 
the  kingdom  from  which  we  derive  our  origin, 
to  requeft  fuch  a  reconciliation  as  might  in  any 
manner  be  inconfiftent  Vith  her  dignity  or  her 
welfare.     Thefe,  related  as  we  are  to  her,  honoui' 
and  duty,  as  well  as  inclination,  indn-    ns  to  *up- 
port  and   advances  and  the  apprcL,  5,  that 

nowopprefs  our  hearts  with  unfpcak:.le  grief, 
being  once  removed,  your  Majefty  will  find  your 
faithful  fubjeas  on  this  continent  ready  and  wil- 
ling at  all  times,  as  they  have  ever  been,  with 
their  lives  and  fortunes,  to  affert  and  maintain  the 
rights  and  interefts  of  your  Majefty,  and  of  our 

Mother  Country.  *<  .  r»     .1^^ 

We  therefore  befeech  your  Majefty,  that  your 
royal  authority  and   influence  may  be  gr^ioufty 
intcrpofed  to  procure  us  relief  from  our  alfliCting 
fears  and  jealoufies,  occafioned  by  the  fyftem  be- 
fore-mentioned, and  to  fettle  peace  thrcJugh  every 
part  of  your  dominions,  with  all  humility  fubnut- 
tingto  your  Majefty's  wife  confideration,  whether 
it  may  not  be  expedient  for  facilitating  thofe  im- 
portant purpofes,  that  your  Majefty  be  pleafed  to 
direa  fome  mode,  by  which  the  united  applica- 
tions of  your  faithful  Colonifts  to  the  Throne,  in 
purfuance  of  their  Common  Councils,  may  be  im- 
proved into  a  happy  and  permanent  reconcilia- 
tion; and  that  in  the  mean  time  meafures  may 
be  taken  for  preventing  the  further  deftru6tion 
of  the  lives  of  your  Majefty's  fubjefts ;  and  that 
fuch  ftatutes  as  more  immediately  diftrefs  any  ot 
your  Majefty's  Colonies,  may  be  repealed. 

i'or  i)y   lucn  arrangcujwsiio   aa  jrv«»  ,r.-j~-j  - 
'  3  wiidom 


(  '35  ) 
wifdom  can  form  for  colledling  the  united  fenfe  of 
your  American  people,  we  are  convinced,  your 
Majefty  would  receive  fuch  fatisfa<5tory  proofs  of 
the  difpofition  of  the  Colonifts  towards  tbcir  fo- 
vereign  and  the  parent  flare,  that  the  wiflied  for 
opportunity  would  fuon  be  reltored  to  them,  of 
evincing  the  lincerity  of  their  profeffions,  by  every 
tcftimony  of  devotion  becoming  the  mod  dutiful 
fubjefts,  and  the  moft  affedtionate  Colonics. 
.  That  your  Majefty  may  enjoy  a  long  and  prof- 
perous  reign,  and  that  your  defendants  may  go- 
vern your  dominions*  with  honor  to  themfclves 
and happinefs  to  their  fubjedts,  is  our  fmcere  prayer. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  letter  to 
the  Lord-mayor,  &c.  reported  the  fame,  which 
was  read. 

On  motion,  Refohed,  That  the  fame  Commit- 
tee prepare  a  letter  to  Richard  Penn,  Efq.  and  the 
Colony  Agents,  by  name,  in  England. 

The  Congrefs  then  refumed  the  confideration 
pf  the  addrels  to  the  inhabitants  of  Great-Britain, 
which  being  debated  by  paragraphs,  was  agreed 
to  as  follows  : 

The  Twelve  United  Colonies  by  their  Delegates 
in  Congrefs,  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Great-Britain. 
Friends,  Countrymen,  and  Brethren  1 

BY  thefe,  and  every  other  appellation,  that 
may  defignate  the  ties,  which  bind  US  to  each 
other,  we  entreat  your  ferious  attention  to  this 
our  fecond  attempt  to  prevent  their  diflblution. 
Remembrance  of  former  friendfliips,  pride  in  the 
glorious  atchievements  of  ourcommon  anccftors  and 
affedtion  for  the  heirs  of  their  virtues,  have  hi- 
therto preferved  our  mutual  connexion;  but  when 
that  friendfhip  is  violated  by  the  grolTeft  injuries; 
when  the  pride  of  anceflry  becomes  our  reproach, 

ilaves ; 


Mi^lia      TV  V     MX  W    41 


(     ^36    ) 
flaves ;  when  reduced  to  the  melancholy  alterna- 
tive of  renouncing  your  favor,  or  our  Freedom  ; 
can  wc  hcfitatc  about  the  choice  ?  Let  the  fpirit 
of  Britons  determine. 

In  a  former  Addrefs,  wc  aflerted  our  Rights 
and  ftated  the  injuries  we  had  then  received. 
Wc  hoped,  that  the  mention  of  our  wrongs 
would  have  roufed  that  honeft  indignation,  which 
has  flept  too  long  for  your  honour,  or  the  wel- 
fare of  the  empire.  But  we  have  not  been  per- 
mitted to  entertain  this  plcafing  expeaation. 
Every  day  brought  an  accumulation  of  injuries, 
and  the  invention  of  the  miniftry  has  been  con- 
ftantly  cxercifed,  in  adding  to  the  calamities  of 
your  American  Brethren. 

After  the  moft  valuable  right  of  legiflation  was 
infringed;  when '  the  powers   aflumed  by  your 
parliament,  in  which  we  are  not  reprefented,  and 
from  our  local  and  other  circumilances  cannot 
properly  be  reprefented,  rendered  our  property 
precarious  ;  after  being  denied  that  mode  of  trial,' 
to  which  we  have  long  been  indebted  for  thefafety 
of  our  Perfons  and  the  prefervation  of  our  Liber- 
ties; after  being  in  many  inftances  divefted  of  thole 
laws,  which  were  tranfmitted  to  US  by  our  c      - 
mon  AnceQors,  and  fubjected  to  an  arbitrary  code 
compiled  under  the  aufpices  of  Roman  tyrants ; 
after  thofe  charters,  which  encouraged  our  prede- 
cefibrs  to  brave  death  and  danger  in  every  (hape, 
on  unknown  feas,  in  defarts  unexplored,  amid(t 
barbarous  and  inhofpitable  nations,  were  annuled  ; 
when,  without  the  form  of  trial,  without  a  pub- 
lic accufation,  whole  colonies  were  condemned  ; 
their  trade  deftroyed,  their  inhabitants  impove- 
riflied;     when    foldiers     were    encouraged    to 
embrue  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  Americans^ 
by  offers  of   impunity ;    when    new  liiOues  o. 


f  alterna- 
'reedom  ; 
the  fpirit 

ur  Rights 
received, 
r  wrongs 
)n,  which 
•  the  wel- 
been  per- 
pedlation. 
:  injuries, 
)een  con- 
imities  of 

lation  was 
by  your 
ented,  and 
ces  cannot 
:  property 
le  of  trial,' 
rthefafety 
Dur  Liber- 
ed  of  thofe 
our  c 
itrary  coow 
in  tyrants  -, 
our  prede- 
very  (hape, 
ed,  amidft 
e  annuled ; 
lOut  a  pub- 
)ndemned  i 
ts  impove- 
mraged    to 
Americans, 

^,m^  ^^j4  ^e%       ^\r 

trial 


(  ^37  ) 
trial  were  inftitiUed  for  the  ruin  of  the  accufed, 
where  the  charge  carried  with  it  the  horrors  of  con- 
viction ;  when  a  defpot  :  government  was  eftablifh- 
ed  in  a  neighbouring  province,  and  its  limits  ex- 
tended to  every  of  our  frontiers;  we  little  imagined 
that  any  thing  could  be  added  to  this  black  cata- 
logue of  unprovoked  imjuries :  but  we  have  unhap- 
pily been  deceived ;  and  the  late  meafures  of  the 
Britilh  miniftry  fully  convince  us,  that  their  objedt 
is  the  redudlion  of  thefe  colonies  to  flavery  and  ruin. 

To  confirm  this  affertion,  let  us  recall  your  atten- 
tion to^hc  affairs  of  America,  fince  our  lafl  addrels. 
Let  us  combat  the  calumnies  of  our  enemies  5  and 
let  us  warn  you  of  the  dangers  that  threaten  you,  in 
our  deftrudtion.  Many  of  your  fellow  fubjeds, 
whofe  fituation  deprived  them  of  other  fupport, 
drew  their  maintenance  from  the  fea  j  but  the  de- 
privation of  our  Liberty  being  infudicient  to  fatisfy 
the  refentment  of  our  enemiesj  the  horrors  of  fa- 
mine were  fuperadded,  and  a  Britifh  Parliament, 
who,  in  better  times,  were  the  protedors  of  inno- 
cence and  the  patrons  of  humanity,  have,  without 
diftindion  of  age  or  f^x,  robbed  thoulands  of  the 
food,  which  they  were  accuflomed  to  draw  from 
that  inexhauf^ible  fource,  placed  in  their  neighbour- 
hood by  the  benevolent  Creator. 

Another  a<5t  of  your  legiHature  fhuts  our  ports 
and  prohibits  our  trade  with  any  but  thofe  States, 
from  whom  the  great  law  of  lelf-prefervaiion  ren- 
ders it  abfolutely  neceffary  we  fhould  at  prefent 
withold  our  commerce.  But  this  adt  (whatever 
may  have  been  its  defign)  we  confider  rather  as  in- 
jurious to  your  opulence,  than  our  interefl.  All 
our  commerce  terminates  with  you  j  and  the  wealth, 
we  procure  from  other  nations  is  foon  exchanged, 
for  your  fu per flui ties.  Our  remittances  mud  then 
,    ..f  ■  T  cea(e 


(     138    ) 

ceafc  with  our  trade  j  and  our  refinements  with  our 
affluence.  Wc  truft  howeter,  that  laws,  which 
deprive  us  of  every  blefling,  but  a  foil  that  teems 
with  th«  neceffarics  of  life,  and  that  liberty  which 
renders  the  enjoyment  of  them  fecure,  will  not  re- 
lax our  vigour  in  their  defence. 

We  might  here  obferve  on  the  cruelty  and  incon- 
fiftency  of  thofe,  who  while  they  publicly  brand  ua 
with  reproachful  and  unworthy  epithets,  endea- 
vour to  deprive  us  of  the  means  of  defence,  by  their 
interpofuion  with  foreign  powers,  and  to  deliver  us 
to  the  lawlefs  ravages  of  a  mercilefs  Soldiery,     But 
happily  wc  ar«  not  without  rcfources ;  and  though 
the  timid  and  humiliating  applications  of  a  Britifh 
miniftry  lliould  prevail  with  foreign  nations,  yet  in- 
duftrv,    prompted  by  neceffiiy,  will  not  leave  us 
withodt  the  neceffary  fupplies.     We  could  wifli  to 
go  no  further,  and,  not  to  wound  the  ear  of  huma- 
nity, leave  untold  thofe  rigorous  ads  of  oppreflion, 
which  are  daily  exercifed  in  the  town  of  Bofton,  did 
we  not  hope,  that  by  difclaiming  their  deeds  and 
puniihingthe  perpetrators,  you  would  ^^ortly  vin- 
dicate the  honour  of  the  Britilh  name  and  rc-eftabiilh 
the  violated  laws  of  juftice. 

That  once  populous,  flouriftiing  and  commercial 
town  is  now  garrifoned  by  an  army  fent,  not  to 
protea:,  but  to  enflave  its  inhabitants.— The  civil 
government  is  overturned,  and  a  military  defpotifm 
ereded  upon  its  ruins.  Without  law,  without 
ri^h't,  powers  arc  affumed  unknown  to  the  confti- 
tution.  Private  property  is  unjuftly  invaded.  The 
inhabitants  daily  fubjeded  to  the  licentioufnefs  of 
the  foldiery,  are  forbid  to  remove  in  defiance  of 
their  natural  rights,  in  violation  of  the  moft  foleiTMi 
compads.  Or  if,  after  long  and  wearifome  fo- 
Ikitation,  a  pafs  is  procured,  their  cffeas  arc  de- 

.  ,  laincd 


(  139  ) 
tained,  and  cyen  thole  who  are  mofl:  favoured,  have 
no  alternative  but  poverty  or  flavery.  The  diftrefs 
of  many  thonfand  people,  v/antonly  deprived  oF  the 
ncceflaries  of  life,  is  a  fubjedt,  on  which  we  would 
not  wifh  to  enlarge. 

Yet  we  cannot  but  obfcrve,  that  a  Britifli  fleet 
(unjultified  even  by  ads  of  your  legiflature)  are 
daily  employed  in  ruining  our  commerce,  feizing 
our  fhips,  and  depriving  whole  communities  of  their 
daily  bread.  Nor  will  a  regard  for  your  honor  per- 
mit us  to  be  filent,  while  Britifli  troops  fully  your 
glory,  by  actions,  which  the  moft  inveterate  en- 
mity will  not  palliate  among  civilized  nations ;  the 
wanton  and  unnecefTary  deftrudlionof  Charleftown, 
a  large,  ancient  and  once  populous  town,  juft:  be- 
fore deferted  by  its  inhabitants,  who  had  fled  to 
avoid  the  fury  of  your  foldiery. 

If  you  ftill  retain  thofe  fentiments  of  compaflion, 
by  which  Britons  have  ever  been  diftinguifhed  j 
if  the  humanity,  which  tempered  the  valour  of  our 
common  anceltors,  has  not  degenerated  into  cruel- 
ty, you  will  lament  the  miferies  of  their  defcendants. 
To  what  are  we  to  attribute  this  treatment ;  If 
to  any  fecret  principle  of  the  conftitution,  let  it  be 
mentioned  J  let  us  learn,  that  the  government,  we 
have  long  revered,  is  not  without  its  defcds,  and 
that  while  it  gives  freedom   to  a  part,   it  necef- 

farily  enflaves  the    remainder  of  the  empire. 

If  fuch  a  principle  exiils ;  why  for  ages  has  it 
ccafed  to  operate  ?  Why  at  this  time  is  it  called  into 
adtion  ?  Can  ivo  reafon  be  afligned  for  this  condud  ? 
Or  muft  it  be  refolved  into  the  wanton  excrcifc  of 
arbitrary  power  ?  Andfliall  the  defcendants  of  Bri- 
tons tamely  fubmit  to  this  ? — No,  Sirs  !  We  ne- 
ver will,  while  we  revere  the  memory  of  our  gal- 
laoit  and  virtuous  anceflors,  we  never  can  furrendei 

'      T  3  thofe 


t) 


(    140   ) 

thofc  glorious  privileges,  for  which  they  fought, 
hied,  and  conquered.  Admit  that  your  fleets  could 
deftroy  our  towns,  and  ravage  our  fea-coafts  j  thcfc 
are  inconfiderablc  objeds,  things  of  no  moment  to 
men,  whofc  bofoms  glow  with  the  ardour  of  li- 
berty. Wc  can  retire  beyond  the  reach  of  your 
navy,  and  without  any  fenfible  diminution  of  the 
necelTarles  of  life,  enjoy  a  luxury,  which  fromtha? 
period  you  will  want  j  THE  LUXURY  OF 
BEING  FREE. 

Wc  know  the  force  of  your  arms,  and  was  it 
called  forth  in  the  caufe  of  juftice  and  your  counr 
try,  we  might  dread  the  ejxrtion ;  but  will  Britons 
fight  und'^r  the  banners  of  tyranny?  Will  they 
countcradt  the  labours,  and  difgrace  the  victories  of 
their  anceftors?  Will  they  forge  chains  for  their 
'pofterity  ?  If  they  defcend  to  this  unworthy  tafk, 
will  their  fwords  retain  their  edge,  their  arms  their 
accuftomed  vigour  ?  Britons  can  never  beconie  the 
jnftruments  of  oppreflion,  till  they  lofe  the  fpirit  of 
freedom,  by  which  alone  they  are  invincible. 

Our  enemies  charge  us  with  ftdition.     In  what 
"does  it  confifl  ?  In  our  refufal  to  fubmit  to  unwar- 
rantable ads  of  injuftice  and  cruelty  ?    If  fo,   Oiew 
us  a  period  in  your  hiGory,  in  which  you  have  not 
been  equally  feditious  ? 

We  are  accufed  of  aiming  at  independence  j  but 
how  is  this  accufation  fupported  ?  By  the  allegations 
■  of  your  miniflers,  not  by  our  adions.  Abufed,  in- 
fulted,  and  contemned,  what  Heps  have  we  purfued 
to  obtain  redrefs  ?  We  have  carried  our  dutiful  pe- 
titions to  the  Throne.  We  have  applied  to  your 
juaicc,  for  relief.  We  have  retrenched  our  luxury, 
and  with-held  our  trade. 

The  advantages  of  our  commerce  were  defigned 
as  a  compenfation  for  your  protedtion  :  When  you 

ceafed 


(     '4'     ) 

ccafcd  to  protccl,  for  what  were  we  to  compcn« 
fate? 

What  has  been  the  fuccefs  of  our  endeavours  ? 
The  clemency  of  our  fovercign  is  unhappily  di-* 
verted  i  our  petitions  are  treated  with  indignity  ; 
our  prayers  anfwercd  by  infuhs.  Our  application 
to  you  remains  unnoticed,  and  leaves  us  the  melan- 
choly apprcheniion  ofypur  wanting  either  the  will, 
or  the  prjwcr,  to  alTift  us. 

Even  under  thele  circumftanccs,  what  meafurei 
have  we  taken  that  betray  a  defire  of  independence? 
Have  we  called  in  the  aid  of  thofe  foreign  powers, 
who  are  the  rivals  of  your  grandeur  ?  When  your 
troops  were  few  and  defencelefs,  did  we  take  ad- 
vantage of  iheir  dilUefs,  and  expel  them  our  towns  ? 
Or  have  we  permitted  them  to  fortify,  to  receive 
new  aid,  and  to  acquire  additional  ftrength? 

Let  not  your  enemies  and  ours  perfuadc  you,  that 
in  this  w"  are  influenced  by  fear,  or  any  other  unr 
worthy  motive.  The  lives  of  Britons  are  ftill  dear 
to  us.  They  arc  the  children  of  our  parents,  and 
an  uninterrupted  intercourfe  of  mutual  benefits  had 
knit  the  bonds  of  friendlhip.  When  hoiliiities  were 
(;:ommenced,  when  on  a  late  occafion  we  were 
wantonly  attacked  by  your  troops,  ihough  we  re- 
pelled their  affaults,  and  returned  their  blows  j  yet 
we  lamented  the  wounds  they  obliged  us  to  give  j 
nor  have  we  yet  learned  to  rejoice  at  a  vidory  over 
Englillimcn. 

As  we  wifli  not  to  colour  our  actions,  or  difguife 
our  thoiights  j  we  fhall,  in  the  fimple  language  of 
truth,  avow  the  meafures  we  have  purfued,  the  mo- 
tives upon  which  we  have  adted,  and  our  future  de- 
figns. 

When  our  late  petition  to  the  throne  produced 
po  other  efFed:  than  frefli  injuries,  and  votes  of  your 

legif- 


lil 


(      142      ) 
keiaature,  calculated  to  jultify  every  fcverity ;  when 
vour  fleets  and  your  armies  were  prepared  to  wrelt  ■ 
from  us  )ar  property,  to  rob  us  of  our  liberties  or 
©ur  lives;  when  the  hoftile  attempts  of  Gen.  Gage 
evinced  his  defigns  j  we  levied  armies  tor  our  fecu- 
rity  and  defence.     When  the  powers  veftcd  in  the 
governor  of  Canada,  gave  us  reafon  to  apprehend 
danger  from  that  quarter;    and  we  had  frequent 
intimations  that  a  cruel  and  favage  enemy  was  to 
be  let  loofe  upon  the  defencclefs  inhabitants  of  cur 
frontiers ;  w  ^.  took  fuch  meafures  as  prudence  dic- 
S  asnetemty  willjuftify      We  poffeffed  our. 
felves  of  Crown-Point   and  Ticonderoga.      Yet 
eiveus  leave  moft  folemnly  to  affureyou,  that  we 
Lve  not  yet  loft  fight  of  the  objed  we  have  ever 
had  in  view,  a  reconciliation  with  you  on  conllitu- 
tional  principles,  and  a  reftoration  of  that  frienoly 
intercourfe,  which,  to  the  advantage  of  both,  we 
till  lately  maintained. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  country  apply   them- 
felves  chiefly  to  agriculture  and  commerce.     As 
their  fafliions  and  manners  are  fimilar  to  yOurs, 
vour  markets  muft  afford   them  the  convemencics 
and  luxuries,  for -which  they  exchange   the  pr^ 
duce  of  their  labours.     The  wealth  ot  this  excend- 
ed  continent  centers  with  you  ;  and  our  trade  is  lo 
regulated  as  to  be  fubfervient  only  to  your  mtereft. 
You  are  too  reafonable  to  exped,    that  by  taxes 
(in  addition  to  this)  we  fliould  contribute  to  your 
cxpence,  to  believe  after  diverting  the  fountain  that 
the  ftreams  can  flow  with  unabated  force.  ^ 
■    It  has  been  faid,  that  we  refufe  to  fubmit  to  the 
reftriaions  on  our  commerce.   From  whence  is  this 
inference  drawn  ?  Not  from  our  words    we  having 
repeatedly  declared  the  contrary  j    and  we  again 


(    «43    ) 

profefs  our  fubmiffion  to  the  feveral  a(5ts  of  trade 
and  navigation  paffed  before  the  year  1763,  truft- 
ing,  neverthelefs,  in  the  equity  and  juftice  of  Par- 
liament, that  fuch  of  them  as,  upon  cool  and  im- 
partial confideration,  (hall  appear  to  have  impofed 
unneceflary  or  grievous  reftridions,  will,  at  fome 
happier  period,  be  repealed  or  altered.  And  we 
chearfully  confent  to  the  operation  of  fuch  3(^8  of 
the  Britilh  Parliament  as  fliall  be  rcftrained  to  the 
regulation  of  our  external  commerce,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  fecuring  the  commercial  advantages  of  the 
whole  empire  to  the  mother  country,  and  the  com- 
mercial benefits  of  its  refpeftive  members,  ex- 
cluding every  idea  of  taxation  internal  or  external, 
for  railing  a  revenue  on  the  iubjeds  of  America, 
without  their  confent. 

It  is  aliedged  that  we  contribute  nothing  to  the 
common  defence.  To  this  we  anfwer,  that  the  ad- 
vantages which  Great  Britain  receives  from  the  mo- 
noply  of  our  trade,  far  exceed  our  proportion  of  the 
expence  neceflary  for  that  purpofe.  But  rtiould 
thefe  advantages  be  inad  quate  thereto,  let  the  re- 
flrititions  on  our  trade  be  removed,  and  we  wilt 
chearfully  contribute  fuch  proportion  when  conlli- 
tutionally  required. 

.  It  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  the  Britifh  confti- 
tution,  that  every  man  fhould  have  at  lead  a  repre- 
fcntative  fhare  in  the  formation  of  thofe  laws  by 
which  he  is  bound.  Were  it  otherwife,  the  regu- 
lation of  our  internal  police  by  a  Britilh  parKiament, 
who  are  and  ever  will  be  unacquainted  with  ouc 
local  eircumftance?,  mu(t  be  always  inconvenient^ 
and  frequently  oppreiTive,  working  our  wrong, 
without  yielding  any  poflible  advantage  to  you. 

A  plan  of  accommodation  (as  it  has  been  ab- 
furdly  called)  has  been  propofed  by  your  Minifters, 

to 


I     (-J 


1^1 


i 


i 


• 


i-i 


(     144     )  . 

to  oar  refpeaive  affcmblieb.  Were  this  propofal 
free  from  eveiyo  ther  objeaion  but  that  which  arifes 
from  the  time  of  the  ofFer^  ft  would  not  be  unex- 
ceptionable. Con  men  deliberate  with  the  bayonet 
at  their  bread  ?  Can  they  treat  with  freedom,  while 
their  towns  are  iJicked,  when  daily  inftances  of  in^ 
jaftice  and  oppreffion  difturb  the  flower  operations 

of  reafon?  ^    .  u    /r  J 

If  this  propofal  is  really  fuch  as  you  would  offer 
and  we  accept,  why  was  it  delayed  till  the  nation 
was  put  to  ulclefs  expence,  and  we  were  reduced 
to  our  prefent  melancholy  fituation  ?    If  it  holds 
forth  nothing,  why  was  it  propofed  ?  Unlefs  indeed 
to  deceive  you  into  a  belief,  that  we  were  unwilling 
to  liften  to  any  terms  of  accommodation  ?  But  what 
is  fubm^rtpd  to  our  confideration  ?    We  contend  for 
the  difpofal  of  our  property.     We  are  told  that  our 
demand  is  unreafonable,  that  our  affemblies  may 
indeed  colled  our  money,  but  that  they  muft  at  the 
fame  time  offer  j   not   what   your   exigencies   or 
ours  may  require  ;  but  fo  much  as  fhall  be  deemed 
fufficient  to  fatisfy  the  defires  o^  a  Muufter    and 
enable  him  to  provide  for  favourites  and  dependants. 
A  recurrence  to  your  own  treafury  will  convince 
vou  how   litile  of  the  money  already  extorted  from 
us  has  been  applied  to  the  relief  of  your  burthens. 
To  fuppofe  that  we  would  thus  gralp  the  (hadow, 
and  give  up  the  fubftance,  is   adding  iniult  to  in- 

"'""we  have  neverthelefs  again  prefented  an  humble 
and  dutiful  petition  to  our  Sovereign  ;  and  to  re- 
move every  imputation  of  obftinacy,  have  requefted 
his  Majefty  to  direct  fome  mode,  by  which  the 
united  apnlications  of  his  faithful  Colonies  may 
. '  be  imprOv;d  imo  a  happy  and  pern^anent  reconcili- 
ation.    We  are  willing  lo  tie^it  on  fuch  terms  as  can 

alone 


f  145  ) 

flione  render  an  accdmnnodation  lading ;  and  wd 
flatter  ourfelves,  that  our  pacific  endeavours  will  be 
attended  with  a  removal  of  miniderial  troops,  and 
a  repeal  of  thofe  lawsi  of  the  operation  of  vvhich 
we  complain,  on  the  one  part,  and  a  difbanding  of 
our  army,  and  a  dtfToiution  of  our  commercial  aflb- 
ciations,  on  the  other. 

Yet  conclude  not  from  this^  that  we  propofe  to 
furrender  our  property  into  the  hands  of  your  mi- 
niftry,  or  veft  your  Parliament  with  a  power  which 
may  terminate  in  our  deflrudion;  The  great  bul- 
warks of  our  conflitution  we  have  defired  to  main* 
tain  by  every  temperate,  by  every  peaceable  means  j 
but  your  minifters  (equal  foes  to  Britifh  and  Ame- 
rican freedom)  have  added  to  their  former  oppref- 
fions  an  attempt  to  reduce  us  by  the  fword  to  a  baf<S' 
and  abjcdt  fubmiffion*  On  the  fword  therefore  vft 
are  compelled  to  rely  for  prote(flian.  Should  vic- 
tory declare  in  your  favour,  yet  men  trained  to 
arms  from  their  infancy,  and  animated  by  the  love 
of  liberty,  will  afford  neither  a  cheap  or  eafy  con- 
queft.  Of  this  at  leaft  ws  are  afTured,  that  our 
f^ruggle  will  be  glorious  our  fuccefs  certain,  fince 
even  in  death  we  (hall  find  that  freedom,  which 
in  life  you  forbid  us  to  enjoy. 

Let  us  now  afk  what  advantages  are  to  attend  our 
redudion  ?  The  trade  of  a  ruined  and  defolate  coun- 
try is  always  inconfiderable,  its  revenue  trifling  j  the 
expcnce  ofiubjedting  and  retaining  it  in  fubjcdtion 
certain  and  inevitable.  What  then  remains  but  the- 
gratification  of  an  ill  judged  pride,  or  the  hope  of 
rendering  us  fubfervient  to  defigns  on  your  liberty. 

Soldiers  who  have  fheathed  their  fwords  in  the 
bowels  of  their  American  brethren,  will  not  draw 
them  with  more  reludtance  againft  you.  When  too 
late   you  may  lament  the  lofs  of  that  freedom, 

JJ  vvhich 


n 


m 


Hi 

f: 


(    h6    ) 

Nwbieb  we.  exhort  you,,  while  ftiU' in  yout  power,  to 

^ol^^Srctthet  hand,  (hould  you  prove  unfaccefsful ; 
avduld  tha"  connexion,  which  we  moft  ardently 
wi(htb.maMo,  bediffolved;  ^^f^V^^.^^^^^ 
iiers  exhauft  your  treafures  and  wafte  the  hlood  of 
your  countrymen  in  vain  attempts  on  our  hbcrty^ ; 
do  the.y.fit>fe  deUver  you.  weak  and  defencelel^,  to 

your  natunal  enemies.  ^,      .        v««f,#/^«»^ 

^Sineethecvyour  Bertf  mxxQihc.  the  P"ce  °f  your 
viadries.,-^enr-  ruin.,  of  your  defeat  :-W^at  ^^^^ 
fot^lky  caa  ur^e  you  to  a  purfmt  deftruaiVc  of  all 
that  B I itorts  hold  dear,?       ,  «.•       u  *  k«- 

-  ^  If  vou  have  no  regatd  Co  the  connexion  that  haa 
forage*  fubfifted  between  us ;  if  you.  Imve  for^.6 
the  wounds^  we  received  fighting  by  your  fide,  for 
the  Qxtentioh  of  the  empire  ;  ifi  our  commerce  i& 
notabobiea  below  your  confidcration ;  it  jultice 
and  humanity  have  loft  their   infl"^"*^«  °"  J!^^ 
hearts;,   ftUl  motives  are  not:  wantiagi  to^  excite 
vour  indignation  at.the«ieafures now  puffued  :  your 
Wealth. .  your  hcmour,,  your  liberty,  ar^  at  ftake. 
.  Notwithftanding  the.  diftrpfs  to  which^we  are  re- 
duced, wcLibmctimcSi  forget  our  own  afflj^^ons.  to 
anticipate  and  fympathize  in,  yours       We  gneve 
that  raOi  and  inconfiderate.  councU  ^'^"^^  pre^ 
pitate  the  deftrutlion  of  .an  empire,  ^hich  has  been, 
iheenvy  and  admiration  of  agc^,  and  :all.God  to- 
witnefsl  that  we  would  pajt  with  our  property,, 
endanger  our  lives,  and  facrifice  everything  but  Li- 
berty, to  redeem  you  from' rum. 

A  cloud  hangs  over  your  heads  and- ours ;  cer, 
this  reaches  you,  it  may  probably  burft  upon  us. 
let  us  then  (before  the  remembrance  of  former  kind- 
nefs  is  obliterated)  once  more  repeat  thofe  appella- 
tions which  are  ever  grateful  in  cur  ears.     Let  us 


(    H7    )' 
entreat  Heaven  to  avert  our  ruin,  and  the  dsfiruc- 
tion    tliat   threatens    our    friends,   brethren,    and 
countrymen,  on  the  other  fide  of  the  Atlantic. 

Ordered^  That  the  above  addrcfs  be  icnmediately 
printed,  and  fent  by  Mr.  Penn  to  England. 

The  letter  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
Livery  of  London,  being  again  read  and  debated, 
was  agreed  to  as  follows : 

Mv  LORD, 

PERMIT  the  Delegates  of  the  people  of  twelve 
ancient  colonies,  to  pay  your  lordfliip  and  the  very 
refpedtable  body  of  which  you  are  head,  the 
juft  tribute  of  gratitude  and  thanks  for  the  virtuous 
and  unfollicited  refentment  you  have  Ihewn  to  the 
violated  rights  of  a  free  people.  The  city  of  Lon- 
don, my  Lord,  having  in  all  ages,  approved  itfelf 
the  patron  of  Liberty,  and  the  fupport  of  juft  go- 
vernment, againft  iawldi  tyranny  and  oppreflk>n, 
cannot  fail  to  make  us  deeply  fenfible  of  the 
powerful  aid  our  caufe  muft  receive  from  fuch  ad* 
vocates.  A  caufe,  my  Lord,  worthy  the  fupport 
of  the  firft  city  in  the  world,  as  it  involves  the  fate 
of  a  great  Continent,  and  threatens  to  (hake  the 
foundations  of  a  flourifhing,  and  until  lately,  a 
happy  empire. 

.  North-Anserica,  my  Lord,  wiflies  moft  ardently 
for  a  lafting  connexion  with  Great-Britain,  on 
terms  of  juft  and  equal  Liberty  j  lefs  than  which  ge- 
nerous minds  will  not  offer,  nor  brave  and  free 
ones  be  willing  to  receive. 

•A  cruel  war  has  at  length  been  opened  againft 

U  2  US 


i.iSlf'^^. 


■■:--.-^«- 


\ 


M 

I 

is 


i't\ 


(   148  > 

us,  and  whilft  we  prepare  to  defend  ourfelvcs  llko 
the  dcfccndants  of  Britons,  we  ftiU  hope  that  the 
mediation  of  wife  and  good  citizens,  will  at  lengtli 
prevail  over  dcfpotifm,  and  rcftore  harmony  and 
peace,  on  permanent  principles,  to  an'oppreffed  and 

divided  empire. 

Wc  have  the  honour  to  be, 
My  Lord} 
With  great  cftecm. 

Your  Lurdfhip's  \.  , .  « 

Faiihfwl  friends  and  fellow-fubjcas, 

Or^^rtf</,  That  the  above  b?  tranfcribed,  and  thc^ 
iigned  by  the  Prcfidcnt, 

The  Committee  appc^nted  to  prepare  a  letter  to 
Mr.Penn  and  the  colony  agents,  reported  a  draught, 
which  was  read  and  approved  as  fpllows  : 

Gentlemen.  .^      .  ,«      •    ,\.^\r 

The  p^ffeverance  of  the  Britifli  miniftry,  in  their 

uniuft  and  cruel  fyftem  of  Colony  Adminiaration, 
has  occafioned  the  meeting  of  another  Congrels, 

Wc  have  agiin  appealed  to  the  J^^'f  ^o*  °"^ 
Sovereign,  for^rotedion  againft  the  deftruaion 
which  his  Minifters  meditate  for  his  American  fub- 
kas.  This  petition  to  his  Majcfty,  you  wi  1  pleafe. 
feentlemen,to  prefent  to  the  King  with  a  I  convc- 
nient  expedition,  after  which  we  dtrfire  it  may  be 
Siven  to^he  public.  We  likewife  fend  you  our 
ftcond  application  to  the  equity  and  intereft  of  our 
■fellow-fubjeas  in  Great-Britain,  and  alfo  a  decla- 
a  ion,  fett  ng  forth  the  caufes  of  our  takmg  up 
a/b"  :  Both  which  we  wifh  may  be  immediately 

puv 


*^ 


(     H9     ) 

pat  to  prcfs,  and  communicated  as  univerfally  a^ 
pofliblc. 

The  Congrefs  entertain  the  higheft  fenfe  of  the 
wife  and  worthy  interpofition  of  the  Lord  Mayor 
and  Livery  of  London,  in  favour  of  injured  America. 
They  have  expreffed  this  their  fenfe  in  a  letter  to 
his  Lordfliip  and  the  Livery,  which  we  defire  may 
beprefented  in  the  manner  mofl:  agreeable  to  that 
rcfpeftable  body. 

You  will  oblige  us,  Gentlemen j  by  giviug  the 
mofl  early  information  to  the  Congrefs,  and  to  the 
Speakers  of  our  refpedtive  Aflemblies  of  your  pro- 
ceedings in  this  bulinefs,  and  fuch  further  intelli^ 
gence  as  you  may  judge  to  be  of  importance  to 
Anierica  in  this  great  contefl. 

We  are  with  great  regard. 

Gentlemen,  &c. 

Ordered*  The  the  above  be  fairly  tranfcribed, 
and  then  figned  by  the  Prefident,  and  by  him  ieut 
under  cover,  together  with  the  Petition  to  the 
King,  and  Addrefs  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Great- 
Britain,  and  the  letter  to  the  Lord  Mayor,  &c.  to 
Richard  Penn,  Efqj  and  that  the  Prefident  requefl 
Mr.  Penn,  in  behalf  of  the  Congrefs,  to  join  with 
the  Colony  Agents  in  prefenting  the  petition  to  the 
King. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  at  9  o'clock. 


MONDAY,  July  10,  1775, 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Information  being  given,  that  there  was  a  Gen» 

tleman 


M 


!  i 


11 


(     *5o    ) 
ttetiwn  in  town  well  acquainted  with  the  ftatc  and 
difpofition  of  the  Indians,  a  motion  was  made  tor 
introducing  him,  and  he  was  accordingly  introduced 

and  examined.  , 

The  Committee  appointed  to  devils  ways  and 
means  for  putting  the  militia  in  a  proper  ftate  for 
the  defence  of  America  brought  in  their  refwrt, 
which  was  read,  and  after  debate,  referred  for  tur- 

ther  confideration.  ,11, 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  o  clock. 


II 


If  '■  ■ 


I 


i' 


TUESDAY,  July  II,  i775- 

Met  according   to  adjournmenr.  ^^ 

The  report  ot  the  Committee  on  Indian  afla.rs 
.vas  taken  up  and  read,  and  after  fome  debate,  the 
fame  was  deferred  till  to-morrow.  . 

On  information,  that  there  were  two  companies 
of  rifle-men  raifed  in  Lancafter  iriftead  of  one, 

Refohed,  Tha:  both  be  taken  into  the  continent 

''^^An  addrefs  of  Deputies  from  the  different  pa- 
rilhesof  thelQandsof  Bermuda,"  to  the  Congrefs, 

was  prefenied  and  read.  ,  ,    1 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  9  0  clock. 

WEDNESDAY,  July  12,  1775. 

\ 

i 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  Oiebeck 

A   Gentleman  from   the  province  of  Oiebeck 

was  introduced  and  examined.  ^^^^^^^^ 


'%^ii^^' 


(    *5i    ) 
Lcttferstfrom  Governor  Cooke  and  General  Ward 
were  read. 

The  Congrefs  then  refumcd  the  consideration  t>f 
the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Indian  affairs,  and 
the  fame  being  gone  through,  wus  agreed  to  as 
follows ; 

That  the  fecuring  and  preferving  the  friendfhip 
of  the  Jndian  nations,  appears  to  be  a  fobjc<ft  of  the 
utmoft  moment  to  thefe  Colonies. 

That  there  is  too  much  reafon  to  apprehend,  that 
adminiftrarion  will  fpare  no  pains  to  excite  the  feve- 
ral  nations  of  Indians  to  take  up  arms  againft  thcfe 
Colonies  j  and  that  it  becomes  us  to  be  very  adiv^ 
and  vigilant  in  exerting  every  prudent  means  to 
ftrengihen  and  confirm  the  friendly  d.'fpofition  to- 
wards thefe  Colonies,  which  has  long  prevailed 
among  the  northern  tribes,  and  which  has  been 
lately  manifefted  by  fome  of  thofe  to  the  fouth- 
ward. 

A«  the  Indians  depend  on  the  Colonifts  for  arms, 
ammunition  and  clothing,  which  are  become  ne- 
celTary  to  their  fubfiftance,  that  Commifliohcrs  be 
appointed!  by  this  Congrcfs,  to  fuperintend  Indian 
affairs  in  behalf  of  thefe  Colonies. 

That  there  be  three  departments  of  Indians,  the 
northern,  middle,  and  fouthern.  The  northern  to 
extend  fo  far  fomh  as  to  include  the  whole  of  the 
Indians  known  by  the  name  of  the  Six  Nations, 
and  all  the  Indians^  northward  of  thofe  nations. 
The  fouthern  department  to  extend  fofar  norrh  as 
to  include  the  Cherok^es,  and  all  the  Indians 
that  may  be  to  the  fouthward  of  them.  The  mid- 
dle to  contain  the  Indian  nations  that  lie  between 
the  other  two  deparCTients. 

That 


(    "S*    ) 

i.   That  five  commiflioners  be  appointed   for  tl«! 

'°th\TKroV  the  other  two  departments 
nt  tKrlit:=c?wer\o  treat  .^ 

P' TttrComSoners  for.the  fouthern  depart- 
ment receive  from  the  Continental  Treafuty  the 
Sm  o  "rrto/W  Dollar,  .■  the  Comm>ffioner, 
fo  themiddle  and  northern  department  the  fam  of 
%  %ouZd%  hundred  andfi.ty.fi.  and  t^oh,rds, 
for  each  of  their  refpeftive  departments,  for  de- 
[rlying  the  expence  o'f  treaties  and  prefcnts  to  the 

^"rhat*  the  Commiffioners  refpeaively  have  power 

"" Thaf  in^'Srihe  Commiffioners  for  th.  re- 
Jtive  ftriat  or  any  one  of  them  in  e.tber 
j^rift  fliall  have  fatisfaflory  proof,  that  the 
Kb"^'  fuperintendants,  tl«ir  deput.es  or  agent.. 
^' a  ,y  oXr  perlbn  whatfoever,  »'«  aa.ve  m  ft^- 
■  Lnr  incitin.'  the  Indfans,  or  any  of  them, 
rmg  up  o"-  '""^P  .         ji,g    American    colonies. 


(     '53    ) 

to  be  feized  and  kept  in  fafe  cuftody,  until  order  fiiall  be 
tnken  therein  by  a  majority  of  the  Commiflioners  of  the 
diftrifts  where  fuch  feizure  is  made,  or  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congrefs,  or  a  Committer  of  faid  Congrefs, 
to  whom  fuch  feizure,  with  the  caufes  of  it,  ihall,  as 
foon  as  poffible  after,  be  made  known. 

That  the  Commiffioners  fhall  exhibit  fair  accounts  of 
the  expenditure  of  all  monies  by  them  refpedively  to  be 
received  for  the  purpofes  aforefaid,  to  every  fucceeding 
Continental  Congrefs,  or  Committee  of  Congrefs,  toge- 
ther with  a  general  ftate  of  Indian  affairs  in  their  feveral 
departments,  in  order  that  the  Colonies  ma}^  be  informed 
from  time  to  time  of  every  fuch  matter  as  may  concern 
them  to  know  and  avail  themfelves  of,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  common  caufe. 

That  as  there  is  a  Seminary  for  the  inftrudion  of  In- 
dian youth,  which  has  been  eftabiilhed  under  the  care  of 
DoAor  Wheelock,  on  Connecticut  river  ;  and  as  there 
are  nine  or  ten  Indian  youths  at  thatfchool,  chiefly  from 
the  tribes  refiding  in  Quebec  ;  and  as  for  want  of  a  pro- 
per fimd  there  is  danger  that  thefe  youths  may  be  fent 
back  to  their  friends,  which  will  probably  excite  jcaloufy 
and  diftruft,  and  be  attended  with  bad  confequences,  the 
Commiliioners  for  Indian  affairs  in  the  northern  depart- 
ment be  authorifed  to  receive  out  of  the  Continental  Trea- 
fury,  a  fum  not  exceeding  Five  Hundred  Dollars,  to  be 
applied  by  them  for  the  fupport  of  the  faid  Indian  youths. 

On  motion  made^  Refolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five 
be  appointed,  to  devife  ways  and  means  to  protect  the 
trade  of  thefc  Colonies. 

The  following  were  chofen,  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Franklin, 
Mr.  Gadfden,  Mr.  Deane  and  Mr.  Lee. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 


t: 


U. 


X 


TIIURS- 


/ 


(     15+    ) 
THURSDAY,   July    13,  1775- 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Thf  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  proper  talks  to 
,he  Indb„sTTe"ortcI?he  fame,  which  was  ,,vecdtoas 

follows : 

A  Speech  to  the  Six  Confederate  Nations,  Mohawks, 
On  das,  Tufcaroras,  Onon.:ag..s.  ^ayugas,  Senek  , 
YrZZ  Twelve  United  Colonies,  convened  m  Conn- 
cil  at  Philadelphia. 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  lyarriors, 
We   the  Deleeatcs  from  the  Twelve  U>""^2u\u 

viiKcs '  v' z  Ncw.lla>nplhire,  Maffachuf«ts-Bav,  Rhod  - 
S:  Co^neaicut,  NL-Vork,  New-J^'ey;  IVnfylva- 
•.    -rViP  three  Lower  Counties  of  Newcaitle,  Kent  and 

Suffel^nDeatre   Maryland,  Vkgin,a,N..rth-Caro^ 

Una  nnd  South-Carolina,  now  fittmg  m  General  Con. 
Ss  a  PWadelpbia.  fend  this  Talk  to  yon  our  Bo 
fhcrs  We  are  fixty-five  in  number,  chofen  and  ap. 
W>  ued  by  tl  e  people  throughout  all  thele  province, 
^nd  colonies,  to  meet  and  fit  together  in  one  great  Cou„. 
cil,  to  confult  together  for  the  common  good  of  the 
land    and  fpeak  and  aft  for  them.  .    ,     .  v 

Brothers,  in  our  confultation  we  have  judged  .t  pro- 
per  andScffary  to  fend  you  tins  Talk,  -  je  are  upon 
{he  fame  ifland,  that  you  may  be  mformed  f    '^  '^^° 
of  this  great  Council,  the  fituation  of  our  civil  conltitu- 
rion    an'd  our  difpofition  towards  you  our  Indian  Bro- 

thers  of  the  Six  Nations  and  their  «»•«•  ,  ^ 

(Three  Strings,  or  a pall  tielt.j 

Brothers  and  Friends,  now  attend. 
When  ot"  fathers  crofl'ed  the  great  ^vater  and  came 
ove;  to  this  land,  the  King  of  England  gave  th^m^a 


(     '35    ) 

Talk:  affurlng  them  that  they  and  their  children  ihould 
be  his  children,  and  that  if  they  would  leave  their  na- 
live  country  and  make  fettlemcnts,  and  live  here,  and 
buy,  and  fell,  and  trade  with  their  brethren  beyond  the 
water,  they  (hould  ftill  keep  hold  of  the  fame  covenant 
chain  and  enjoy  peace — And  it  was  covenanted,  that  the 
fields,  houfcs,  goods  and  poUellions  which  our  fathers 
Ihould  acquire,  fhould  remain  to  them  as  their  own,  and 
be  their  children's  forever,  and  at  their  folc  difpofal. 

Trutting  that  this  covenant  (hould  never  be  broken, 
our  fathers  came  a  great  diftancc  beyond  the  great  vyater, 
laid  out  their  money  here,  built  houfes,  cleared  fields, 
raifed  crops,  and  through  their  own  labour  and  induftry 
grew  tall  and  ftrong. 

They  have  bought,  fold  and  traded  with  England  ac- 
cording to  agreement,  fendin-g  to  them  fuch  things  as 
they  wanted,  and  taking  in  exchange  fuch  things  as  are 
wanted  here. 

The  King  of  England  and  his  people  kept  the  way 
open  for  more  than  one  hundred  years,  and  by  our  trade 
became  richer,  and  by  a  union  with  us,  greater  and 
ftronger  than  the  other  Kings  and  people  who  live  be- 
yond the  water. 

All  this  time  they  lived  in  great  friendfhip  with  us, 
and  we  witli  them  ;    for  we  are  brothers — one  blood. 

Whenever  they  were  flruck,  we  inftantly  felt  as 
though  the  blow  had  been  given  to  us— their  enemies 
were  our  enemies. 

Whenever  they  went  to  war,  we  fent  our  men  to 
ftand  by  their  fide  and  fight  for  them,  and  our  money 
to  help  them  and  make  them  ftrong. 

They  thanked  us  for  our  love  and  fent  us  good  Talks, 
and  renewed  their  promife  to  be  one  people  forever. 


ii  it 


X 


Brothers 


N^ 


<     '56    ) 

Brothers  anJ  Frieni/s,  open  a  kind  Ear ! 
We  will  now  tell  you  of  the  quarrel  betwixt  the 
Counfellors  of  King  George  and  the  Inhabitants  and 
Colonies  of  America. 

Many  of  his  Counfellors  are  proud  and  wicked  mcn-^ 
They  perfuade  the  King  to  break  the  covenant  chain, 
and  not  to  fend  us  any  more  good  Talks.  A  confidera- 
ble  number  have  prevailed  upon  him  to  enter  into  a  new 
covenant  againft  us,  and  have  torn  afunder  and  caft  be- 
hind their  backs  the  good  old  covenant  which  their  an^ 
ceftors  and  ours  entered  into  and  took  fV-ong  hold  of. 

They  now  tell  us  they  will  flip  thei /  hand  into  our 
pocket  without  afking,  as  though  it  were  their  own  ;  and 
at  their  pleafure  they  will  take  from  us  our  charters  or 
written  civil  conftitution  which  we  love  as  our  lives ; 
aifo  our  plantations,  our  houfes  and  goods  whenever 
they  pleafe,  without  alking  our  leave.  That  our  vellels 
may  goto  this  ifland  in  the  fea,  but  to  this  or  that^  parti- 
eular  ifland  we  fliall  not  trade  any  more.— And  m  cafe 
of  ournon-corapliance  with  thefe  new  orders,  they  fliut 
up  our  harbours. 

Brothers,  this  is  our  prefent  fituation— thus  have  ma- 
ny of  the  King's  Counfellors  and  Servants  dealt  with  us. 
If  we  fubmit,  or  comply  with  their  demands  you  can 
eafily  perceive  to  what  ftate  wc  will  be  reduced.  If  our 
people  labour  on  the  field,  they  will  not  know  who  fliall 
enjoy  the  crop  ;  if  they  hunt  in  the  woods,  it  will  be  un- 
certain who  flialltafte  of  the  meat,  or  have  the  fl&ins;  if 
they  build  houfes,  they  will  not  know  whether  they 
may  fit  round  the  fire  with  their  wives  and  children : 
they  cannot  be  fure  whether  they  fliall  be  permitted  to 
eat,  drink,  and  wear  tin:  fruits  of  their  own  labour  and 

induilry.  .     ,r    •  j 

Brothers  and  Friends  of  the  Six  Nations,  attend. 
We  upon  this  ifland  have  often  fpoke  and  intreated 

^  the 


(    '57    ) 

the  King  and  his  Servants  the  Counfellors,  that  peace 
and  harmony  might  ftil I  continue  between  us ;  that  we 
cannot  part  with,  or  loofe  our  hold  of  the  old  covenant 
chain  which  united  our  fathers  and  theirs )  that  we  want 
to  brighten  this  chain,  and  keep  the  way  open  as  our  fa- 
thers did ;  that  we  want  to  live  with  them  as  brothers,  la- 
bour, trade,  travel  abroad,  eat  and  drink  in  peace.  We 
have  often  afked  them  to  love  us  and  live  in  fuch 
friendlhip  with  us  as  their  fathers  did  with  ours. 

We  told  them  again  that  we  judged  we  were  exceed- 
ingly injured,  that  they  might  as  well  kill  us,  as  take 
away  our  property  and  the  neceflaries  of  life.  We  have 
alked  why  they  treat  us  thus?  What  has  become  of  our 
repeated  addrefles  and  fupplications  to  them  ?  Who'  hath 
Ihut  the  ears  of  the  King  to  the  cries  of  his  children  m 
America?  No  foft  anfwer— no  pleafant  voice  from  be- 
yond the  water  has  yet  founded  in  our  ears. 

Brothers,  thus  ftands  the  matter  betwixt  Old  England 
and  America.  You  Indians  know  how  things  are  pro- 
portioned in  a  family,  between  the  father  and  the  fon,  the 
child  carries  a  little  pack—England  we  regard  as  the  fa- 
ther ;  this  ifland  may  be  compared  to  the  fon. 

The  father  has  a  numerous  family,  both  at  home  and 
upon  this  ifland  ;  he  appoints  a  great  nhmber  of  Servants 
to  affift  him  in  the  government  of  his  family :  in  procef^ 
of  time,  fomeof  his  fervantsgrow  proud  and  ill-natured 
—they  were  difpleafed  to  fee  the  boy  fo  alert,  and  walk 
on  fo  nimbly  with  his  pack  ;  they  tell  the  father,  and  ad- 
vife  him  to  enlarge  the  child's  pack— they  pre\-ail ;  the 
pack  is  increafed— the  child  takes  it  up' again  ;:  as  he 
thought  it  might  be  the  father's  pleafure,  fpeaks  but  few 
words,  thofe  very  fmall,  for  he  was  loth  to  offend  the 
father.  Thofe  proud  and  wicked  fervants  finding  tliey 
had  prevailed,  laughed  to  fee  the  boy  Iweat  and  ftagger 
under  his  increafed  load.     By  and  by,  they  apply  to  the- 

fathfv 


:\ 


l:li 


.1 ,  -n 


(   -58  ) 

boys  mtreats  the  f^*';,;/5tigtt  b^  V^ht-ed ;  he 
a  decent  manner,  that  the  pa^^  m  g  |  j,_^_ 

could  not  go  -y^;'*:;;a^btSedfuchapack 

thers,  m  any  °f*^''fX  tears  and  mtreaf.es  of  the 
for  the  child:  after  all  «f  "'':' /". -.j  f^^„i,  »  little, 
child,  the  pack  IS  redoubled ;   the  <=h'W  1™  j.  „ 

while  ftaggering  ""-^^/^'^  "^f  (,e"X  once  more, 
moment :  however,  he  ^n'^'*".  **=„',  j,;,  i.,ft  humble 
thouoh  fo  faint  he  could  o„3^^^  ^ L  retirm.  The 
fupplication-waits  a  ,«''"'^„, ,"°  „  °u,a,_thole  proud 
child  concludes  the  father  ""'^  "°  „^^^^^  the 

'"''lt1:^''H.  ttt^li- 'one  ftrug^^le  and 

SrSlicrl^^s--^'^ 

^IJ'::!^^^^  Wm  to  take  it  in  his 

the  King's  American  fuhjeas  or  cludren 

Amidftthefe  oppreffions,  we  "o^)!  """  V\ .      ,.■     .^ 
JZ^  and  revf^^ns  vo'-  from   fome  of  ^he  K  n|  s 

'"'i  '"""SUtarTourclm  itusandour  cries, 
trefles ;  when  they  hearo  our         y  fervants, 

they  applied  to  the  Kmg,  alfo  told  «hole  w        .  j,,  j  f„f. 

;^::d"S"«'e'\ira't^%^^^^ 

Tpport  L  old  covenant-chatn  of  the  fathers.    ^^^^^^^^^ 


y  heard  blm 
they,  he  is  a 
more.    The 
at  (ervants  in 
ightened;  he 
if  the  old  fa- 
d  fuch  a  pack 
reaties  of  the 
tands  a  little, 
to  fall  every 
:r  once  more, 
is  laft  humble 
returns.     The 
: — thofe  proud 
or  fl:<^pped  the 
le  ftruggle  and 
ke  it  up  again, 
ill  him,  and  he 

h,  and  tell  the 
ild ;  they  bring 
)  take  it  in  his 

nt  condition  of 

d  then  heard  a 
I  of  the  King's 
nd  feel  our  dif- 
s  and  our  cries, 
wicked  fervants, 
s  boy,  it  had  fuf- 
;  of  its  complaint 
:  voice  of  a  man, 
I  hs  rights,  and 

"athers. 

Brothers 


(    ^59    ) 

Brothers  llflen ! 

Notwithftanding  all  our  intreatics,  we  have  but  little 
hope  the  King  will  fend  us  any  more  good  talks,  by  rea- 
fon  of  his  evil  counfellors  ;  they  have  perfuaded  him  to 
fend  i)n  army  of  foldiers  and  many  Ihips  of  war,  to  rob 
and  deftroy  us.  They  have  fhut  up  many  of  our  har- 
bours, feized  and  taken  into  pofleffion  many  of  our  vef- 
fels  :  The  foldiers  have  ftruck  the  blow,  killed  fome  of 
pur  people  :  the  blood  now  runs  of  the  American  chil- 
dren :  They  have  alfo  burned  our  houfes  and  towns,  and 
taken  much  of  our  goods. 

Brothers  !  we  are  now  neceffitated  to  rife,  and  forced 
to  fight,  or  give  up  our  civil  conftitution,  run-away,  and 
leave  our  farms  and  houfes  behind  us.  This  muft  not 
be.  Since  the  King's  wicked  counfellors  will  not  open 
their  ears,  and  confider  our  juft  complaints,  and  the  caufe 
of  our  weeping,  and  hath  given  the  blow,  we  are  de- 
termined to  drive  away  the  King*s  foldiers,  and  to  kill 
and  deftroy  all  ihofe  wicked  men  we  find  in  arms  againft 
the  peace  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  upon  this 
ifland.  We  think  our  caufe  is  juft  ;  therefore  hope  God 
will  be  on  our  fide.  We  do  not  take  up  the  hatchet  and 
ftruggle  for  honour  or  conqueft ;  but  to  maintain  our 
civil  conftitution  and  religious  privileges,  the  very  fame 
for  which  our  forefathers  left  tlieir  native  land  and  came 
to  this  country. 

Brothers^  and  Friends  I 

We  defire  you  will  hear  and  receive  what  we  hare 
now  told  you,  and  that  you  will  open  a  good  ear  and  lilkn 
to  what  we  are  now  i;oing  to  fiiy.  This  is  afmiily  quar- 
rel between  us  and  Old  England.  You  Indians  are  not 
concerned  in  it.  We  don't  wifh  you  to  take  up  the 
hatchet  againft  the  King's  troops.  We  defire  you  to  re-, 
main  at  home  and  not  join  either  fide  ;  hut  keep  the 
hatchet  buried  deep.     In  the  name  and  behalf  of  all  our 

peonle 


u 


.   X'r. 


(     ifio    ) 

neoDle.  xveaflc  anddefirevou  to  lovejx-ace  and  maintam 
kand  to  love  and  fympithlze  with  us  in  our  troubles ; 
hanhe  ^al^  may  Jke^^en  ,vith  »U  our  people  and 
yours  to  pafs  and  repafe,  without  moleftation. 
^   Brothers!  we  live  on   the  fame  ground  w.th  yo^ 
The  fame  ijland  is  our  common  >f  ^-Pl;"- .  ^«  ^f^ 
to  fit  down  under  the  fame  tree  of  peace  with  you .  L,et 
t°s  water  ite  roots  and  cherifli  its  growth.  t.U  the  large 
Uaref  and  flourifhing  branchesihall  extend  to  the  fetting 
fun,  and  reach  the  Ikics. 

wSr;:t7eXd  you  .-Nothing,  but  peace 
noSanding  our  prefent 'difturbed  fit"'"-"-^  ' 
application  Aould  be  made  to  you  by  any  °f  *}  ^'"f, 
umvife  and  wicked  minifters,  tojom  on  their  lide,  »ve 
on Iv  idv"fe  you  to  deliberate  with  great  caution,    and  u. 

vour  wSlook  forward  to  the  confequences  of  a 
your  wiiaom  i  ^j^^  „„ 

compliance.     Por  it  tiie  r>.ing »  <•»     r  .  . 

oroperty,  and  deftroy  us  who  are  of  the  fame  blood  wittt 
Sfelves,  what  can  you,  who  are  Indians,  expea  from 

them  afterwards  ?  ,    , ,    c  a  .„ 

Therefore  we  fay.  Brothers,  ta^c  <^»'*-^°>'^  J^*- '" 
your  covenant  chain.  You  now  know  our  d'^~ 
iowardsyr  u,  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  and  y«"r  a"''  • 
Leuh^s  our  good  talk  remain  at  Onondaga,  yo»t  central 

."-c^mdUhoufl  We  depend  "P°»/°»  '°  ^,"„\^^3  o^ 
quaint  your  allies  to  the  northward,  '\«  [^" 'X^" 
the  river  St.  Lawrence,  that  you  have  this  Talk  otoun 
at  thlgreat  Council-Fire  of  the  Six  Nations.  And 
wh  n  you  return,  we  invite  your  great  men  to  come  and 
ronve4  farther  with  us  at  Albany.where  ^e  intend  t„ 
r-  kindle  the  Council-Fire,  which  your  and  our  ance 
;rs  fat  round  in  great  friendfhip.  Sr»*A.n,  .nJFnenJs ! 
^  We  greet  you  yll» 

Farewell. 


and  maintain 
3ur  troubles ; 
r  peopk  and 
on. 

id  with  yoH. 
,  We  deiirc 
ithyou:  Let 
till  the  large 
I  to  the  fetting 


ig  but  peace, 
ation — and  if 
of  the  King's 
their  fide,  we 
ution,  and  in 
'cquences  of  a 
ake  away  our 
me  blood  with 
IS,  expe<St  from 

-hold  faft  to 
our  difpofition 
and  your  allies, 
•tf,  your  central 
:o  lend  and  ac- 
feven  tribes  on 
[lis  Talk  of  ours 
Nations.  And 
len  to  come  and 
re  we  intend  to 
■  and  our  anccf- 
rs,  and  Friends  I 

:youalU 

Farewell. 

(fhs 


(     ^»'     ) 

CTke  larsre  Belt  of  Intelligence  and  Declaration.) 

Brothers  I  \       ^  ^r   flf  ;r^       ^ 

We  have  faid  we  wifh  you  Indians  may  continue  in 
peace  with  one  another,  and  with  us  the  White  people. 
Let  us  both  be  cautious  in  our  behaviour  towards  each 
other  at  this  critical  ftate  of  affairs.  This  ifland  now 
trembles,  the  wind  whiftles  from  almoft  every  quarter  ; 
Jet  us  fortify  our  minds  and  (hut  our  ears  againft  falfe  ru- 
mours ;  let  us  be  cautious  what  we  receive  for  truth,  unlefs 
fpokcn  by  wife  and  good  men.  If  any  thing  difagree- 
able  (hould  ever  fall  out  between  us,  the  Twelve  United 
Colonics,  and  you  the  Six  Nations,  to  wound  our  peace, 
jet  us  immediately  feek  meafures  for  healing  the  breach. 
From  the  prefent  (ituation  of  our  affairs/  we  judge  it  wife 
and  expedient  to  kindle  up  afmall  Council-Fire  at  Alba- 
ny, where  we  may  hear  each  others  voice,  and  difclofe 
our  minds  more  fully  to  one  another.       (Afmall  Belt.) 

Ordered,  That  a  iimilar  talk  be  prepared  for  the  other 
Indian  Nations,  prelerving  the  tenor  of  the  above,  and 
altering  it  fo  as  to  fuit  the  Indians  in  the,  feveral  depart- 
ments. '  / 

The  Congrefs  then  proceded  to  the  choice  of  Commif- 
fioners  for  Indian  affairs,  and  after  fome  debate,  agrewi 
that  the  nomination  of  Commiffioners  for  the  fouihern 
department  be  poftponed  till  Tuefday  next. 

Mr.  Franklin,  Mr.  Henry,  and  Mr.  Wilfon,  were 
unanimoufly  eleded  for  the  middle  department. 

The  Congrefs  then  proceded  to  eledt  the  Commiffio- 
ners for  the  northern  department,  and  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  chofen,  viz.  Major-General  Philip 
Schuyler,  Major  Jofeph  Hawley,  Mr.  Turbot  Francis, 
Mr,  Oliver  Woolcot,  and  Mr.  VolkertP.  Douw. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 

Y  FRL 


p:  I 


(    »6»    ) 


} 


FRIDAY,  July  14,  1775- 

Met  according  to  adjoornmcnt. 
The  Conwefs  tefumed  the  confidcration  of  the  report 
rfthecommitteeonthe  mUUia,  and  after  debate,  the 
fame  was  referred  for  fartJitr  confideration. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o  clock. 

SATURDAY,  JuiY  15,  I775' 

Met  according  to  adjournment.  . 

On  motion  made.  The  Cougrefs  came  to  th*  following 

"  Wbe'as  the  government  of  Great-Britain  hath  pro, 
iibited  the  exportation  of  arms  and  amunition  to  any  ot 
the  Ptn^^tions,  and  ...^eavoured  to  prevent  other  na- 

*'Xt«??a"he  better  furnilhing  ihefe  Colo- 
„icfStheneee(6ry  means  of  defendu,g  '-heu  "ght^ 
!itry  veffel  importing  gun,powder,  ^It-petre,  fulphur, 
^rov'lded  they  bring  with  the  falphiK  four  t,mesa^^^^^^^^ 
Lt-petre,  brafs  EeW-pieces,  or  good  tnuftets,  fitted  with 
bayoCts  within  nins  momhs  fromthe  date  of  this  rfc 
S,  Ihall  be  permitted  to  load  and  export  the  produce 
rfTefe  colonies,  to  value  of  fuch   powder  and  fto«s 
iforefaid,   the   N  on.  Exportation  Agreement    notwith- 
Handing  i  and  it  is  recommended  to  the  Committees  ot 
Klral  Provinces,  to  infpea  the  m.Utary    ftores  fo 
imported,  and  to  eftimate  a  generous  price  for  the  lame, 
iXding  to  their  goodnefs.  and  permit  the  importer  0 
fSh  powder  and  other  military.ftores  aforefa.d,  to  export 
te  v™ue  ttereofand  no  more,  in  produce  of  any  kind 
,      Sundry  intercepted  letters,  were  laid  before  CongrcU 


the  talk  to  the  Stockbridge  Indians  was  then  taken 
up,  and  the  fanie  being  debated^  was  agreed  to. 

On  motion,  Refolved^  That  the  Congrcfs  will,  on 
Thurfday  next,  attend  Divine  Service  in  a  body,  both 
inorning  and  afternoon* 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lynch  and  Mi*.  Didkirtfon,  Wait 
on  Mr.  Duch^  and  Dodor  Allifbn,  and  requeft  Mr.  Du- 
che  to  preach  before  the  Congrefs  on  Thurfday  next,  in 
the  morning,  and  Do£lor  AUifon  in  the  afternoon* 
Adjourned  till  Monday  at  eight  o*cloGk* 


MONDAY,  JutY  17,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  letter  from  General  Schuyler  being  laid  before  the 
Congrefe,  was  read,  and  the  fame  being  taken  into  confi- 
dcration. 

Refolded,  That  a  Commiflary  of  ftores  and  provifions 
be  appointed  for  the  New- York  department  during  the 
prefent  compaign. 

JValter  Llvingfion,  Efcj.  chofen  to  that  office. 

Refolved,  That  a  Deputy  Quarter-Matter  General  be 
appointed  for  the  faid  department. 

Donald  CampbelU  Efq.  eleaed  to  that  office. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  D.  Campbell  have  the  rank  of  Co- 
lonel in  the  army. 

Refolvtd,  That  a  Deputy  Mufter-Mafter  be  appointed 
for  the  faid  department. 

Gunning  Bedford,  Efq.  elefted  to  that  office. 

Refohed,  That  the  Convention  of  New-York  be  de- 
fired  to  recommend  to  General  Schuyler  a  proper  perfon 
for  a  Deputy  Adjutant  General  or  Brigade  Major  for  the 
army  in  the  New- York  deparment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 

Y  2  TUES- 


m- 


Pi 


n 


tm 


n 


(      164     ) 

TUESDAY,  July  18,  1775, 


.;  u  ]  Met  according  to  to  adjournment. 

The  Congrefs  again  refumed  the  confideration  ot  the 
report  of  the  Committee  for  putting  the  miliiia  mto  a 
propel-  ftateforthe  defence  of  America,  and  the  fame  be. 
ing  debated  by  paragraphs,  was  agreed  to  as  follows : 

Rehbed,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  whabitants 
of  all  the  United  Englilh  Colonies  in  Nort^- America, 
that  all  able-bodied  etfeftive  men,  between  fixteen  and 
fifty  years  of  age  in  each  Colony,  immediately  form  them- 
felves  into  regular  companies  of  militia,  to  confift  of  one 
Ga^^tain,  two  Lieutenants,  one  Enfign.  four  Serjeants, 
four  Corporals,  one  Clerk,  one  Drummef,;P5i^tM»  and 
about  iixty-eight  Privates.  .    r    'u"l' 

Xh^t  the  officers  of  each  company  be  cholen  by  there- 

fpedive  companies.  m  rMfir). 

That  each  foldier  be  furnilhed  with  a  good  muiket, 
that  will  carry  an  ounce  ball,  with  a  bayonet,  fteel  ram. 
rod.  worm,  priming  wire  and  brufh  fitted  thereto,  a  cut- 
tine  fword  or  tomahawk,  a  catridge  box,  that  will  con- 
tain twenty.three  rounds  of  catridges,  twelve  Hmts  and  a 

knapfack.  .  i   ^         . 

That  the  companies  be  formed  nito  regiments  or  bat- 
talUons,  officered  with  a  Colonel,  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
two  Majors,  an  Adjutant  or  Quarter-Mafter. 

That  all  o(ficei?§  above  the  rank  of  a  ^  Captain  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  rei'beaive  Provincial  Affemblies  or  Con- 
ventions,orintheirrecefsby  the  Committees  of  Safety 
appointed  by  faid  Affemblies  or  Conventions.         ;,^ 

That  all  officers  be  commiffioned  by  the  Provincial 
Affemblies  or  Conventions,  or  in  their  recefs,  by  the 
Committees  of  Safety  appointed  by  faid  Aflcmblies  or 
Conventions.  ^, 


75' 

iration  of  tlie 
militia  inta  a 
d  the  fame  bqr 
as  follows  J  jfn 
he  Inhabitants 
ortli -America, 
en  iixteen  and 
ely  form  them- 
jconfiftofone 
four  Serjeants, 

;,..,-'> ...... ».r  t- 

lofen  by  the  re. 

good  mufl^et, 
3net,  fteel  ram- 
I  thereto,  a  cut- 
that  will  con- 
elvejlints  and  a 

giments-or  bat- 
itenant-Colonel, 

fter.  \ 

.Captain  be  ap- 
mbliesor  Con- 
liWs  of  Safety 
tlons.  '^ 

r  the  Provincial 
:  recefs,  by  the 
d  Aflcmblies  or 

That 


.  Tl^hat  allthe  militia  take  proper  care  to  acqtiire  milj- 
t^y  (kill,  and  be  well  prepared  for  defence,  bybeing  each, 
man  provided  with  one  pound  of  good  gunpowder,  and 
four  pounds  of  ball  fitted  to  his  gun.-  ,,,.jV,  " .,  j  , 

That  one  fourth  part  of  tKe  militia  in  every  Cojony 
be  felefte^. for  minute  men,  offuch  perfons  as  are  willing 
to  enter  into  this  neceflary  fervi^e,  forme^^nto  compa- 
nies and  Utt;|iions,  and  thpir  ojSicers  chofeii  and  commii; 
fioned  as  ^orpfaid,  ?o  be  ready  op  the  fliorteft  notice  tq 
n^arch  to  ^y  p(af»  where  their  affiftancc  m^y.  be  requi-I 
red,  for  the  defence  of  their  own  or  a  neighbouring  Co- 
lony r  and  as  t:hefe  minute  m^n  may  eventually  be;  cal- 
led to  adion  Wore  the  yyhole  body  of  the.Tnilitia  arc 
fuiBciently  trjjined,  it  is  recommended  that  a  more  par- 
ti'cMl^r  and  diligent  attenl,ion  ^j^  paid  to  tl?eir  inftruaion 
i^  military  difcipiine.      .•.*,,'. 

That  fuch  of  the  minute  men,  as  defire  it,  be  relieved 
by  new  draughts  as  aforefaid  from  the  whpje.  body  of 
the militi^_,pncejn four  months.  ,,^^.4:,,.,     .'. 

As  there  are iome^eopie,  who  from  religious'  princi- 
ples cannot  bear  arms  in  any  cafe,  this  congrefs.  intend  no 
violence  to  their  confciences,  but  earneftly  recommend 
it  to  them  to  contribute  liberally,  in  this  time  of  uni^ 
yerfal  calaniity,  to  the  relief  of  their  diftrefled  '  brethren 
in  the  feveral  colonies,  and  to  do  all  other  fer  vices  to  their 
opprefTed  country,  which  they  can  confiftently  with  their 
religious  principles. 

That  it  be  recommenced  to  the  AflemWies  or  Conven- 
tions in  the  refpedive  colonies  to  provide,  as  foon  as  pof- 
fible,  fufficient  ftores  of  ammunitipn  for  their  colonies ; 
alfo  that  they  devife  proper  means  for  furnilhing  with 
arms  fuch  effedive  mean  as  are  poor  and  unable  to  fur- 
ni(h  themfelyes. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  each  colony  to  appoint  a 
Committee  of  Safety,  to  fuperintend  and  dirca  all  mat- 
ters 


Ull 


I 


m 

i  ft 


Ml,. 

.'.r 

.'i 


(    i«6    ) 

h«  neceffarv  for  the  fecurity  and  defence  of  their  reljlec- 
tlTe  cffl  intherecefc  of  thrir  Affemblies  ^  Col^ 

"rhateach  colony,  at  their  own  expencc  make  fuch 

proTtn  by  armed  veffelscf  ''^T  „™h.«,'of  sl^; 
live  AfferoblieJ,  Converticns,  cf  t  ommittees  ot  battty 
flSltudg"exped.ent  and  (u.table  to  their  "rcumftances 
»d  &n,rfor  theprotealon  of  'h«r  h,rW.r.  and 
navigation  on  their  fea  coafts.  agamft  all  '"l^wf"!  >";»: 
Sonsfattacks  and  depredations,  from  cutters  and  flaps  of 

""-That  it  be  recommended  to  the  makers  of  arms  for  *e 
ufe  of  the  militia,  that  they  nwke  good  fubftanml  mo- 
tets with  barrels  three  feet  ind  a  half  m  length,  that 
^.  'c^nr  an  ounce  ball,  and  fitted  with  a  good  bayon« 
rndfteelVam-rod;  and  that  the  njaking  feh  arms  be 
Micouraeed  in  thefe  United  Colonies. 

meSinany  clony  a  militia  is  already  formed  un- 
derreS  ions  approved  of  by  the  Convention  of  fuch 
*lonf;  or  by  fuc6  Affemblies  as  are  anually  ekaive, 
3r  to  thedifcretion  of  fuch  ConventM>n  or  Affem- 
Sy.  rither  to  adopt  the  foregoing  je^^'°"'  'V^^ 
whole  or  in  part,  or  to  continue  *eir  formo',  as  they, 
on  confideraSon  of  all  circumftances,  fljall  hmk  beft. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o  clock. 

WEDNESDAY,  Jui/y  19,    i775- 

The  Prefident  laid  before  the  Congrefs  "  l^""  f™" 
the  General,  with  fundry  papers  enclofed.  which  were 
read  and  confidered,  whereupon  r„mm;tt«. 

OrJereJ,  That  Mr.  Willon  apply  to  the  Committ« 
of  ihe  ity  and  liberties  of  Philadelphia,  and  r»ueft  them 
to  make  diligent  enquiry  what  quantities  of  duck.  Ru^ 


(    '^7    ) 

fia  (heeting,  tow  cloth,  Oznabrugs  and  Ticklcnburgs 
can  be  procured  in  this  city,  and  make  return  as  foon  as 
poffibie  to  this  Congrefs. 

Refolved,  That  Jofeph  Trumbull  be  Commiflary  Ge- 
neral of  ftores  and  provifions  for  the  army  of  the  United 
Colonies. 

Refohedf  That  the  appointment  of  a  Quarter  Matter 
General,  a  Commiflary  of  Mufters,  and  a  Commiflary 
of  Artillery,  be  left  to  General  Walhington. 

That  General  Thomas  be  appointed  firft  Brigadier 
General,  in  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies,  in  the 
room  of  General  Pomeroy,  who  never  aded  under  the 
commiflion  fent  to  him,  an  that  General  Thomas's 
commiflion  bear  the  fame  date  that  General  Pomeroy*s 
did. 

That  it  be  left  to  General  Wafliington,  if  he  thinks 
fit,  to  appoint  three  Brigade  Majors,  and  commiflion 
them  accordingly. 

That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed,  to  report 
the  method  of  eftabliftiing  an  hofpital. 

The  Committee  chofen  arc,  Mr.  Lewis,  Mr.  Paine 
and  Mr.  Middleton. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  colonies  of  New- 
Hampfliire,  Maflkhufletts-Bay,  Rhode-Ifland  and  Con- 
nefticut,  to  compleat  the  deficiencies  in  the  regiments 
belong  to  their  refpedlve  Colonies,  retained  by  the  Ge- 
neral in  the  continental  army  before  Bofton. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  colony  of  Rhode- 
Ifland,  to  compleat  and  fend  forward  to  the  camp  before 
Bofton,  as  foon  as  poflible,  the  three  hundred  and  fixty 
men,  lately  voted  by  their  General  Aflembly. 

That  it  be  recommended  t  the  colony  of  Conncfti- 
cut,  to  compleat  and  fend  forward  to  the  camp  before 
Bofton,  as  loon  as  poflSble,  the  fourteen  hundred  men 
lately  voted  by  their  General  Aflembly, 

On 


I 


'Im 


i  1 


((     i68    ) 
■J.    i?,rAh^f^  That  a  Committee  be  ap- 

of  Souih-Carolma.  Vireinia,  be  appointed 

Wates'to  attend  this  eongrcis. 

^  tT'  M  tTcc:S  to  Aournment. 
ThCd1^p..ct:rmG«-al  Schiyler  being  taken 

intoconfiderat^".      ^      Schuyler  be  empowered  to 

Refohed,   1  hat    ,      „, ,  .u,  .^noos  in  the  New  York 
difpofe  of  and  e-ploy  »1  J^e  «,ops_.n     ^^._^^ 

department,  m  i"^"  "^'^  "r ,,    r^  „^ionies,  the  tribes  of 
J.  prceaion  -^f;^„"f  ^^^'Jtit^^^^^^^^^         moft  effec- 

"Srpt» 

^■b3^rt:v^i.u;?::d:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

■  TjL..nP^  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o  clock. 


"'*■-  Anf^^^Xii^Pl^-'^  ■ '  *■ 


'(  159  ) 
t'RiOAY,    July  21,   1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  an 
addrcfs  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jamaica,  hav- 
ing brought  in  a  draught,  the  fame  was  rcadi 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  ah 
addrefs  to  the  people  of  Ireland^  brought  in 
a  draught. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table; 

Refolved,  That  Mr.  R.  Bache,  Mr.  Ste- 
phen Pafchall,  and  Mr.  M.  Hillegas,  be  ap-i^ 
pointed  to  fuperintend  the  prefs,  and  to  have 
the  overfight  and  care  of  printing  the  bills 
of  credit  ordered  to  be  ftruck  by  this  Con- 
grefs. 

Refolved,  That  Mr.  Willie  jories,  of 
North  Carolina,  be  the  fifth  Commiffioner 
of  Indian  affairs  in  the  Southern  department. 

AgVeeable  to  order,  the  Congrefs  refol- 
ved itfelf  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  to 
take  into  confideration  the  ftate  of  America^ 
and  after  fome  time  fpent  therein,  the  Pre- 
fident  refumed  the  chair^  and  Mr.  Ward  re- 
ported that  they  had  come  to  certain  rcfolu- 
tidns,  which  he  read,  and  then  defired  leave 
to  fit  again; 

The  committee  appointed  to  devifc  ways 
and  means  to  proted  the  trade  of  thefe  Co- 
lonies, brought  in  their  report,  which  was 
read. 

Ordered^  That  the  fame  be  taken  into 
confideration  to-morrow  morning. 

Z  7hc 


:m 


i  il< 


'^iV^imfy.'T^.a 


li 


(  i6o  ) 

The  Ccngrcfs  then  entered  upon  the  con- 
fideration  of  the  report  from  the  Committee 
of  the*  whole,  and  after  fome  debate, 

Refolved,  That  fuch  a  body  of  troops  be 
kept  up  in  the  Maffachufetts  Bay  as  Gen. 
Wafhington  fhall  think  neceffary,  provided 
they  do  not   exceed    twenty-two   thouland 

^  Adjourned  till  to-morrow  eight  o'clock. 

SATURDAY,   July  22,  1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ao-reeable  to  the  order  of  yefterday,  the 
Con^re^s  took  into  conlideration  the  report 
of  tie  Committee  appointed  to  devife  ways 
and  means  to  proteft  the  trade  of  thefe  Co- 
lonies, and  after  fome  debate,  the  further 
conrideration  of  it  was  poftponed  to  a  future. 

"^"on  motion,  Refolved,  That  Dr.  Frank- 
lin Mr.  Jefterfon,  Mr.  J.  Adams,  and  Mr. 
Lee  be  a  Committee  to  take  into  conlidera- 
tion' and  report  on  the  refolution  of  the 
Houfe  of  Commons,  Feb.  20,  1775,  com- 
moniv  called  Lord  North's  motion. 
^  Adiourned  'till  Monday  at  8  o'Clock. 

Monday  being  fpent   in  a  Committee  of 
the  whole. 


TUESDAY,   July  25,  1775- 
Met  according  to  adjouirnnient. 


The 


v. 


{  i6i  ) 

"The  Committee  for  that  purpofe  appoint^' 
"cd,  *  brought  in  this  report  for  eftablifhing 
an  hofpital,  which  was  read. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  confider  the 
ways  and  means  of  eftablifhing  a  poft, 
hrought  in  their  report,  which  was  read, 
and  ordered  to  be  confidered  to-morrow. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  confider  and 
report  their  opinion  of  the  refolution  of  the 
Houfc  of  Commons,  hrought  in  their  re- 
port, which  was  read,  ordered  to  'lie  on  the 
table  for  the  pcrufal  of  the  members. 

The  Congrcfs  then  refumed  the  confide- 
ration  of  the  addrefs  the  AlTembly  of  Ja- 
maica, and  the  fame  being  debated  by  para- 
graphs, was  agreed  to  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Speaker,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Afe??ibly 
of  Jamaica. 

WE  would  think  ourfeives  deficient  in 
■our  duty  if  we  fuffered  this  Congrefs  to  pafs 
over  without  exprefilng  our  efteem  for  the 
AfTembly  of  Jamaica. 

Whoever  attends  to  the  cond-ud  of  thofe 
who  have  been  entrufted  with  the  admini- 
ftration  of  Britiih  affairs,  during  thefe  laft 
twelve  years,  will  difcover  in  it  a  deliberate 
plan  to  deftroy,  in  every  part  of  the  empire, 
the  free  Conftitution,  for  which  Britain  has 
been  fo  long  and  fo  juftly  famed  With  u 
dexterity,  artful  and  wicked,  they  have  va- 
ried the  modes  of  attack  according  to  the 
different  charaaers  and  circumftanccs  of  thofe 

Z  2  who  u 


I 


W 


3' 


i 


\ 


(ibl) 

whom  they  meant  to  reduce.      In  the  Eaftr 
Indies,  where  the  effeminancy  of  the  inha- 
bitants    promifed    an   eafy   conqueft,    they 
thought  it  unneceffary  to  veil  their  tyrai>nic 
principles  under  the  thinneft  difguife.  With- 
out deigning  even  to  pretend  a  juftiiication  of 
their  condud,    they  lacrificed  the  Jives    of 
millions  to  the  gratification  of  their  infatia- 
ble  avarice  and  luft  of  power.      In  Britain, 
where   the   maxims   of  freedom  were  ftill 
known,     but  where  luxury  and  diffipation 
had  diminifhed    the  wonted  reverence   for 
them,    the  attack  has  been  carried  on  m  a 
more  fecret  and  indired  manner :  Corrup- 
tion has  been  employed  to  undermine  them. 
The  Americans   are  not  enervated  by  effe- 
minancy,  like  the  inhabitants  of  India ;  nor 
debauched   by  luxury,   like   thofe  of  Great 
Britain :    It  was  therefore  judged  proper  to 
aifail  them   by  bribery,   or   by  undifguifed 
force,      Plaufible    fyftems    were    formed ; 
fpetious   pretences  were  made  :  All  the  arts 
of  fonbiilry  were   tried    to  Ihew,   thlt   the 
Britilii  miniftry  had,  by  law,  a  right  to  en- 
flave  us.     The  firft  and  beft  maxims  of  the 
conftitution,    venerable    to  Britons   and  to 
Americans,   were  perverted  and  prophaned. 
The  power    of  parliament  derived  from  the 
people   to  bind  the  people,   was   extended 
over  thofe  from  whom  it  was  never  derived. 
It  is  afferted,    that  a  {landing  army  may  be 
conftitutionally  kept  among  us,  without  our 
confent.     Thefe  principles,    diflionourable 
-  ■  to 


Ef!i 


iIH! 


m,'^ 


(    163   ) 

to  thofe  who  adopted  them,  and  deftruiStivc 
Jo  thofe,  to  whom  they  were  rppHed,  were 
neverthclefs  carried  into  execution  by  the 
foes  of  liberty  and  of  mankind ;  ads  of  par- 
liament, ruinous  to  America,  and  unfervice- 
able  to  Britain,  were  made  to  bind  us.  Ar- 
mies, maintained  by  the  parliament,  were 
fent  over  to  fecure  their  operation.  The 
power,  however,  and  the  cunning  of  our  ad- 
verfaries,  were  alike  unfuccefsful.  We  re- 
fufed  to  their  parliament  an  obedience, 
which  our  judgments  difapproved  of:  We  re- 
fused to  their  armies  a  fubmiffion,  which  fpi.^ 
rits  unaccuftomed  to  ilavery,  could  not  brooL 

But  -while  we  fpurned  a  difgraceful  fub- 
jedion,  we  were  far  from  running  into  rafh, 
or  feditious  meafures  of  oppofition.  t'illei 
with  fentiments  of  loyalty  to  our  fovereign, 
and  of  affedion  and  refped  for  our  fellow 
fubjeds  in  Britain ;  we  petitioned,  we  fup- 
plicated,  we  expoftulated : — Our  prayers 
were  rejeded: — Our  remonllrances  were  dif- 
regarded: — Our  grievances  were  accumula-, 
ted.  All  this  did  not  provoke  us  to  violence. 

An  appeal  to  the  juftice  and  humanity  of 
thofe  who  had  injured  us,  and  were  bound 
to  redrefs  our  injuries,  were  ii>efFedual ;  we 
next  refolved  to  make  an  appeai  to  their  in- 
tereft;  though  by  doing  fo  we  knew  we  mufl 
facrifice  our  own,  and  (which  gave  us  equal 
uneafmefs)  that  of  our  friends  who  had  ne- 
ver offended  us,  and  who  were  conneded 
^ith  us  by  a  fympathy  of  feelings  under  op- 

preffions 


■I 


¥> 


u 


■  ^ 


v 


i- 


( 164  5 

preffions  nmilar  to  our  o^h':'  We'  refdlved 
To  give  up  our  commerce;  that  we  m.ghl 
preferve  our  liberty.  We  flattered  ourfclve 
that  when,  by  withdrawing  our  commerc.al 
nteclrfewith  Britain,  which  we  had  an 
undoubted  right  either  to  withdraw  or  to  con- 

■3oyrou:>nlrial  foes   would  be 
tW  had  fo  long  purfued,  and  to  fobfew^' 

Britain.  That  this  fcheme  of  non-impor- 
fation  and  non-exportation  might  be  produc- 
tive of  thedefired  efFefts.  w.  were  obliged 
,0  include  the  iflands  in  it.  trom  this  ne- 
cefTty,  and  from  this  necefSty  alone,  has 
our  condua  towards  then.  Proceeded.  By 
converting  your  fugar  plantations  into  fields 
6f  gra  n.  you  can  fSpply  yourfelves  with  the 
"eclfTaries  of  life :  wkle  the  prefent  unhap- 
py ftruggle   Ihall  continue,   we  cannot  do 

""But  why  fhould  we  make  a.  apology  to 
the  patriotic  Aflfembly  of  Jamaica,  who  know 
fo  well  the  value  of  liberty  ;  who  are  fo  fen- 
fible  of  the  extreme  danger  to  which  ours  is 
e^Dofed  ;  and  who  forefee  how  certainly  the 
SruSion  of  our.  muft  be  followed  by  the 
aeftruftion  of  their  own  ?  ^^ 


'(    »65  ) 

We  receive  uncommon  pleafure  from  ob- 
ferving  the  principles  of  our  righteous  oppo- 
•fition  diftinguifhed  by  your  approbation  : 
We  feel  the  warmeft  gratitude,  for  your  pa- 
thetic mediation  in  our  behalf  with  the 
crown.  It  was  indeed  unavailing — but  arc 
you  to  blame? — Mournful  experience  tells 
us,  that  petitions  a:e  often  rejected,  while 
the  fentiments  and  conduct  of  the  petitioners 
entitle  what  they  offer  to  a  happier  fate. 

That  our  petitions  have  l>een  treated  with 
difdain  is  now  become  the  fmalleft  part  of 
our  complaint:  Miniflerial  infolence  is  loft 
in  minifterial  barbarity.  It  has,  by  an  ex- 
ertion peculiarly  ingenious,  procured  thofe 
very  meafures,  which  it  laid  us  under  the 
hard  neceflity  of  purfuing,  to  be  ftigmatized 
in  parliament  as  rebellious  :  It  has  employed 
additional  fleets  and  armies  for  the  irifamous 
purpofe  of  compelling  us  to  abandon  them: 
It  has  plunged  us  in  all  the  horrors  and  cala- 
mities of  civil  war  :  It  has  caufed  the  trea- 
fure  and  the  blood  of  Britons  (formerly  fhed 
and  expended  for  far  other  ends)  to  be  fpilt 
and  wafted  in  the  execrable  defign  of  fpread- 
ing  liavery  over  Britifti  America  :  It  will  not, 
however,  accomplifli  its  aim  :  In  the  worft 
of  contihgences,  a  choice  v/ill  ftill  be  left, 
which  it  never  can  prevent  us  from  making. 

The  peculiar  fituation  of  your  ifland  for- 
bids your  afliftance.  But  we  have  your  good 
wifhes.    From  the  good  wifties  of  the  friends 

.     _  of 


t1 


:) 


'I  a. I. 


^ 


(       166     ) 

of  liberty  and  mankind  we  fliall  always  de- 
rive confolation. 

Ordered,  That  a  fair  copy  be  mado  out,  to 
be  figned  by  the  prefidcnt,  and  tranfmitted 
by  the  firft  opportunity. 

The  congrcfs  then  refuming  the  report  ot 
the  Committee  of  the  whole,  came  to  the 
following  refblutions. 

Refolved  that  a  body  of  forces,  not  exceed- 
ing five  thoufand,  be  kept  up  in  the  New 
York  department,  for  the  purpofe  of  defend- 
ing that  part  of  America,  and  for  fecurmg 
the  lakes,  and  proteding  the  frontiers  from 
incurfions  and  invafions. 

That  a  further  fum,  amounting  to  the 
value  of  one  million  of  Spanifh  milled  dollars 
be  ftruck  in  bills  of  thirty  dollars  each. 

As  the  figning  (o  great  a  number  of  bills 
as  has  been  direded  to  be  iffued  by  this  Con- 
grefs,  will  require  more  time  than  the  mem- 
bers can  poffibly  devote  to  that  bufinefs,  con- 
fiftent  with   the  attention  due  to  the  public 

fervice. 

Refolved,  That  the  following  gentkmen 
be  appointed  and  fully  authorifed  to  fign  the 
fame,  viz.  Luke  Morris,  Samuel  Meredith, 
Judah  Foulke,  Samuel  Morris,  Frederick 
Kuhl,  Robert  Strcttle  Jones,  Thomas  Coombe, 
EUis  Lewis,  John  Meafe,  Thomas  Lawrence, 
Panid  Clymer,  John  Maxwell  Nelbit,  Tho- 
mas Barclay,  John  Bayand,  William  Craig, 
Thomas  Barto,  John  Shec,  Ifaac  Hazlehurft, 
Robert  Roberts,  Anthony  Morris,  Mordecai 

Lewis, 


(  i67  ) 

Lewis,  George  Miiflin,  Robert  Tucknif^^ 
Andrew  Buruier,  William  Jackfon,  Jofeph 
Sims,  James  Milligan,  and  James  Reed. 

That  each  of  the  continental  bills  be  nqm- 
bered  and  figned  by  two  of  the  above  gentle- 
men„ 

That  each  gentleman,  who  figns  the  conti- 
nental bills,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
continental  treafury,  one  dollar  and  one  third 
of  a  dollar,  for  each  and  every  thoufand  bilis;^ 
figned  aftd  numbered  by  him. 

That  the  gentlemen  appointed  ta  number 
and  fign  the  bills  do  give  their  receipts  for 
the  fame,  expreffing  the  number  and  deno- 
mination of  them  i  and  after  numbering  and 
iigning  them,  ftiall  deliver  the  fame  to  the 
continental  treafury,  taking  their  receipts  for 
the  bills  fo  delivered. 

On  motion,  refolved.  That  Mr.  Samuel 
Adams,  Mr.  Lee,  and  Mr.  J.  Rutledge,  with 
the  fecretary,  be  a  Committee  to  revife  the 
journal  of  this  Congrcfs,  and  prepare  it  for 
the  prefs. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow-  at  8  o'clock; 

WEDNESDAY,  July  26,  1775. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Agreeable  to  order,  the  Congrefs  refumed 
the  coniideration  of  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  eftablifhing  a  poft  j  and  the  fame 
being  debated,  was  agreed  to  as  follows; 

Agi  That 


1 


i 


I 


yri 


,V'... . 

7  1 


;  (  '6s  )  ^ 

,,ii;.That  a  poft-rhafter-general  be  appointetr' 
'for  the.  united  Colonies,  who  fhall  hold  his 
office  at  Philadelphia,  and  fhall  be  allowed  a 

'  {l\laryof  looo  dollars  per  annum,  forhimfclf, 
and  340  dollars  per  annum,  for  a  fecretaFy 
and  comptroller,  with  power  to  appoint  fuch, 
and  fo  many  deputies  as  to  him  may  fecm 
proper  and  necellary. 

i;  •  That  a  line  of  ports  be  appointed  under 
the  direaion  of  the  poft-mafter  general,  from 
Falmouth,  in  New  England,  to  Savannah, 
in  Georgia,   with  as  many  crofs  polls  as  he 

-ihall  think  fit.  .... 

-^  That  the  allowance  to  the  deputies,  m  lieu 
of  falary  and  all  contingent  expences,  fhall 
be.  20  per  cent,  on  the  fums  they  colled:  and 
pay  into  the  general  poU-office  annually, 
when  the  whole  is  under  or  not  exceeding 
1000  dollars,  and  ten  percent,  for  all  fums 
above  1 000  dollars  a  year. 

That  the  feveral  deputies  account  quarterly 
with  the  general  pofl-office,  and  the  poft- 
maflcr  general  annually  with  the  Continental 
treafurers,!  when  he  fhall  pay  into  the  receipt 
of  the  fliid^'treafu.ors  the  profits  of  the  polt- 
oflice  ;  and  if  tlie  necefliuy  expence  of  this 
eflablifhment  fliould  exceed  the  produce  of 
it,  the  deficiency  fliall  be  made  good  by  the 
united  Colonies,  and  paid  to  the  poil-maflcr 
general  by  the  Continental  treafurers. 

On  motion  made,  refolved,  That  it  be  re- 
commended to  the  pofl-mafler  general  to 
eflablifh  a  weekly  pofl  to  South-    Carolina, 

^  That 


That  It  be  left  to  the  poft-mafter  general  to 
appoint  a  fecretary  and  comptroller. 

The  Congrefs  then  proceeded  to  the  dic- 
tion of  a  poft-mafter  generd  for  one  year,  and 
until  another  is  appointed  by  a  future  Con- 
grefs, when  Benjamin  Franklin,  Efq  ;  was 
unanimoufly  choien. 

Adjourned  tiiJ  to-morrow  at  8  o'clock, 

THURSDAY,  July  27,  1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournn»ent. 

The  Congrefs  took  into  confideration  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  eftablifhing  an 
hofpital  for  the  army,  and  the  fame  being 
debated,  was  agreed  to  as  follows. 

That  for  the  eflablifliment  of  an  hofpital 
for  an  army  confifting  of  twenty  thoufand 
men,  the  following  officers  and  other  atten- 
dants be  appointed  with  the  following  al- 
lowance or  pay,  viz. 

One  diredor  general  and  chief  phylician, 
his  pay  per  day  four  dollars. 

Four  furgeons,  each  ditto  one  and  one 
third  of  a  dollar. 

One  apothecary,  ditto,  one  and  one  third 
of  a  dollar. 

Twenty  furgeons  mates,  each  ditto,  two 
thirds  of  a  dollar. 

One  clerk  ditto,  two  thirds  of  a  dollar. 

Two  ftore-keepers,  each  four  dollars  per 
month. 

Aa  2  One 


(  17©  ) 
One  nurfc  to  cilery  ten  fick,  one  fifteenth 
of  a  dollar  per  day,  or  two  dollars  per  month. 
Labourers  occafionally. 

The  duty  of  the  above  officers. 

The  direaor  to  furnilh  medicines,  bed-  ' 

^ing,  and  all  other  necelTaries,  to  pay  for  the 

fame,,  fuperintend  the  whole,  and  make  his 

report  to,  and  receive  orders  from,  the  comr 

mander  in  chief.  ,      -r,* 

Surgeons,  apothecary,  and  mates,  to  viiit 

and  attend  the  fick,  and  the  mates  to  obey 

the  orders  of  the  phyficians,  furgeons   and 

^^Ma^tron.'   To  fuperintend  the  nurfes,  bed- 
dine,  &c.  . 
Nurfes.    To  attend  the  fick  and  obey  the 

matron's  orders.  i     j-    xv 

Clerk.    To  keep  accounts  for  the  director 

andftore-kecpers. 

Store-keeper.    To  receive  and  deliver  the 
bedding  and  other  neceffaries  by  order  of  the 

diredtor.  ,   ,        ,      , 

The  Congrcfs  then  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  for  the  hofpital,  when 

Benjamin  Church  was  unanimoudyeleaed, 
to  be  diredor  of,  and  phyfician  in,  the  hof- 

•  Refolved,  That  the  appointment  of  the 
four  furgeons  and  the  apothecary  be  left  to 
Doaor  B.  Church.  • 

That  the  mates  be  appointed  by  the  lur- 

r^'^'  "        •  '  That 


m 


(  i^7«  ) 

That  the  number  of  mates  do  not  exceed 
twenty. 

That  the  number  be  not  kept  in  conftant 
pay,  unlefs  the  fick  and  wounded  fliould  be 
fo  numerous  as  to  require  the  attendance  of 
twenty,  and  to  be  diminiihed  as  circumftan- 
ces  will  admit,  for  which  purpofe  the  pay  is 
fixed  by  the  day,  that  they  may  only  receive 
pay  for  a(5tual  fervice. 

That  one  clerk,  two  flor'e-keepers,  and 
j6ne  nurfe  to  every  ten  fick  be  appointed  by 
the  direftor. 

Upon  motion  mide,  refolved,  That  the 
paymafter  give  bond  with  two  furcties,  in 
the  fum  of  fifty  thoufand  dollafs,  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  office. 

That  the  bond  be  made  payable  to  the  fame 
perfons,  to  whom  the  bonds  of  the  Conti- 
nental treafurers  are  payable. 

James  Warren,  Efq;  was  then  unani- 
moufly  elected  paymafter  general. 

Refolved,  That  the  paymafter  in  the  New 
York  department  give  bond  to  the  fame 
perfons  as  above  direded,  with  two  fureties, 
in  the  fum  of  25,000  dollars,  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  his  office. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  8  o'clock, 

FRIDAY,  July  28,  1775. 
Met  according  to  adjounrment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  M*Kean,  and  Mr. 
Wilfon,  prepare  the  form  of  bonds  for  the 
f  ontinentai  treafurers  to  execute. 

The 


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(,  172  ) 

h;The  Cohgrefs  then  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion of  a  Paymafter  for  the  Forces  in  the 
New- York  department,  when  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  jun.  Efq;  was  unanimouay  elec- 
ted to  that  office.  ^  x    /  jl 

The  Addnefs  to  the  People  of  Ireiandbe- 
ing  again  read  by  paragraphs,  was  agreed  to 
as  follows : 

1:0  the  People  of  Ireland.  From  the  delegates 
appointed  by  the  United  Colonies  oj  New 
Hampjhire,  Majjacbufetts-Bay,  Rhode-IJland 
and  Providence  Plantationsy  ConneBtcut, 
New-Tor k,  New-Jerfey,  Pennfyhania,  the 
Lower  Counties  on  Delaware^  Maryland, 
Virginia^  North-Carolina  and  South  Caro- 
lina, in'  Geiieral  Congrefs  at  ^Philadelphia, 
theiothoj'May,   1775. 

Friends  and  Fellow  Subjedis, 
AS  the  important  conteft,  into  which  wc 
have  been  driven,  is  now  become  interefting 
to  every  European  ftate,  and  particularly  af- 
fcAs  the  members  of  the  Britifli  empire,  we 
think  it  our  duty  to  addrefs  you  on  the  fub- 
\cQi.     We .  are  defirous,  as  is   natural  to  in- 
'iure'd  innocence,  of  poffeffing  the  good  opi- 
nion of  the  virtuous  and  humane— We  are 
peculiarly  defirous  of  furnrihing  you  with  a 
true  ftate  of  our  motives  and  objefts  j  the 
better  to  enable  you  to  judge  of  our  condud 
with  accuracy,  and  determine  the  merits  of 
tlie  controverfy  with  impartiality  and  pre- 

cifion.  ,_ 

However 


WSi* 


lie  clec- 
;  in  the 
onathan 
ifly  elec- 

liandbe- 
tgreed  to 

delegates 
of  New 
)de-IJland 
nneBicutt 
)ania,  the 
\daryland, 
ith  Caro- 
iladelphia. 


vhich  wc 
iterefting 
ularly  af- 
ipire,  we 

the  rub- 
ral to  in- 
good  opi- 
— We  are 
>u  with  a 
edtsj  the 
r  condudt 

merits  of 
'  and  pre- 

However 


(  173  ) 
However  incredible  it  may 


appear,  that, 
at  tms  eniigntened  period,  the  leaders  of  a 
nation,  which  in  every  age  has  facrificed  he- 
catorhbs  of  her  braveft  patriots  on  the  altar 
of  liberty,  fhould  prefume  gravely  to  allert 
and,  by  force  of  arms,  attempt  to  eftablifli 
an  arbitrary  fway  over  the  lives,  liberties, 
and  property  of  their  fellow  fubjedts  in  Ame- 
rica j  it  is  neverthelefs  a  moft  deplorable  and 
indilputable  truth, 

Thefe  Colonies  have,  from  the  time  of 
their  firfl  fettlement,  for  near  two  centuries, 
peaceably  enjoyed  thofe  very  rights,  of  which 
-the  Minifty  have,  for  ten  years  paft,  endea- 
voured, by  fraud  and  by  violence  to  deprive 
them.  At  the  conclufioii  of  the  lafl  vs^ar 
the  genius  of  England  and  the  fpirit  of  wif- 
dom,  as  if  offended  at  the  ungrateful  treat- 
ment of  their  fons,  withdrew  from  the  Bri- 
tifh  counfels  and  left  that  nation  a  prey  to  a 
raceof  minifters,  with  whom  ancient  Eno-- 
lifh  honefty  and  benevolence  difdained  "to 
dwell.  From  that  period,  jealoufy,  difcontent, 
oppreffion  and  difcord  have  raged  amono-  all . 
'his  Maj<;fty's  fubjedts ;  and  filled  every  part 
of  his  dominions  with  diftrefs  and  complaint. 

Not  content  with  our  piirchaling  of  Bri- 
tain at  her  own  price,  cloathing  and  a  thou- 
sand other  articles  ufed  by  near  three  milli- 
-ons  of  people  on  this  vaft  continent  j  not  fa- 
tisfied  with  the  amazing  profits  arifingfrom 
the  monopoly  of  our  trade,  without  givino- 
us  either  time  to  breathe  after  a  long  though 

glorious 


1   ' 


-^i«*^'r*j^ 


(  174  )  ■ 
glorious  war,  or  the  leaft  credit  for  the  blood 
and  treafure  we  have  expended  in  it ;— Not- 
withftanding  the  zeal  we  had  inaiufefted  fof 
the  fervice  of  our  fovereign,  ai>d  the  warm- 
eft  attachment  to  the  conftitutign  c^  BrA^m 
and  the  people  of  England,  a  black  and  hor- 
rid defign  was  formed  to  convert  U5  from 
freemen  into  flaves,  from  fubjeas  into  vaf- 
fals,  and  from  friends  into  enemies. 

Taxes  for  the  firft  time  fmce  we  landed  on 
the  American  fhores,  were,  without  our  con- 
fent,  impofedupon  usj  an  unqonihtutional 
edia  to  compel  us  to  furniih  neceffarieg  for 
a  ftanding  army,  that  we  wifhed  tp  fee  dif- 
banded,   was  iiTued;  and  the  legiflat;ure  of 
New- York  fufpended  for  refufmg  to  comply 
witli  it.     Qnr  ^ntient  and  ineftimaWe  right 
of  trial  \>y  jury  was,  in  many  inftances,  abo^ 
Uflied  i   and  the  common  law  of  the  land 
made  to  give  place  to  Admiralty  jurifdidi- 
ons,  judges  wei:c  rendered,  by  the  tenure  of. 
their   commiffw>ns,   entirely   dependent  on 
the  wmof,a.minifter.     New   crimes   were 
arbitrarUy  created;'  and   new   courts,    un- 
known to  the  conftitutiQp,  inftituted.  WiAJt- 
ed  and  infidious  Governors  have  been  fet  over 
us ;  and  dutiful  p^titipp^s  for  the  removal 
of  even  t;he  n»tQifiQu^ly  infaipdous  GqyejiUQF 
Hutchinfpn,  were  branded  with  the  pppro- 
bious  appellation  of  fcandalous  and  defama* 
tory.     ilardy  attempts  have  been  made  un- 
der colour  of  parliamentary  authority  to  tee 
Americans,  and  carry  them  to  Great  IJxitam 

to 


{'75) 
to  be  tried  for  offences  committed  in  the  co- 
lonies. Ancient  charters  have  ao  longer 
remained  (acred,  that  of  Maflachufetts-Bay 
was  violated;  and  their  form  of  government 
eflentially  mutilated  and  transformed.  On 
pretence  of  punilhing  a  violation  of  fonie 
private  property,  committed  by  a  fev;^  dif- 
guifed  individuals,  the  populous  and  flou-" 
rifhing  town  of  Bofton  was  fouroundcd  by 
fleets  and  armies ;  its  trade  deilroyedj  its 
port  blocked  up ;  and  thirty  thoufand  citi- 
zens fubjedted  to  all  the  miferies  attending 
fo  fudden  a  convulfion  in  their  commercial 
metropolis  j  and  to  remove  every  obilacle  to 
the  rigorous  execution  of  this  fyftem  of  op- 
preffion,  an  ad:  of  parliament  was  pafled  evi- 
dently calculated  to  indemnify  thofe,  who 
might,  in  the  profecution  of  it,  even  em-, 
brue  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  the  inha- 
bitants. 

Though  preiTed  by  fuch  an  accumulation 
of  undeferved  injuries  America  flill  remem- 
bered her  duty  to  her  fovereign.  A  Con- 
grefs,  confifting  of  deputies  from  twelve 
United  Colonies  alTembled.  They  in  the 
moft  refpedtful  terms  laid  their  grievances  at 
the  foot  of  the  throne;  and  implored  his 
Majefty's  interpofition  in  their  behalf.  They 
alfo  agreed  to  fufpend  all  trade  with  Grent 
Britain,  Ireland  and  the  Weft-Indies,  hop- 
ing, by  this  peaceable  mode  of  oppofition, 
to  obtain  that  juflice  from  the  Britilh  minf- 
try  which  had  been  fo  long  folicited  in  vain. 

B  W  "    And 


ffi 


f 


)^> 


(.76) 

And  here  permit  us  w  affure  you,  that  it  wa* 
^th  the  «moft  reluaance  we  could  prevail 
Toon  ourfelvcs  to  ceafe  our  commercial  con- 
Son"  with  yo""fland.--Your  parhament 
h,d  done  us  no  wrong— You  had  ever  been 
frienX  to  the  rights  of  mankmd;  and  we 
acknowledge,    with  pleafure  and  gratitude. 
thatTar  nation  has  produced  Patriots,  who 
hive^nobly  diftingui&ed  themfelves  m    he 
c;„<c  of  humanity  and  America      On  the 
TfLrhand,  we  were  not  ignorant  that  the 
ht   and  manufaaures  of  Ireland,  like  thofe 
of  the  filk-worm,  were  of  little  moment  t^ 
Wdf  •  but  ferved  only  to  give  teury  to 
S  who  neither  toil  nor  fpin.-We  per- 
S.  that  if  we  continued  our  commerce 
Srou    our  agreement  not  to  import  from 
SwUdblfrultlefe,-  and  were  there^ 
FJrcOi^^Ued  to  adopt  a  mcafure  to  which 
noThinTbut  abfolute  neceffity  would  have  re- 
•l»A  „«_It  <'ave  us  however,  fome  con- 
Xo:t^efleSy.at  mould  it  oecafio™ 

!^„rh  diftrefs,  the  fertile  regions  of  America 
would  aferd  ;ou  a  fafe  afylum  from  poverty., 
Td  int^efromoppreffion  allb-an  afylum, 
t„  which  .nany  thoufands  of  your  count^- 
ZZ  have  found  hofpitaUty,  peace  a.id  af- 
fluence ■  and  become  united  to  us  by  all  the 
Ses  S  cdnfanguinity.    mutual  intereft  and 
!S-eaion-Nor  did  the  Congrels  itop  here- 
iiat  ered  by  a  pleafing  expcttation    that  the 
fjfti«  and  hunianity  which  had  fo  long  cha- 
iaaSzed  the   En^ifh   Nation,  wouW   on 


ma 


:  it  wan-* 
prevail 
al  con- 
liament 
er  been 
and  we 
atitude^ 
ts,  who 
s  in  the 
On  the 
that  the 
,ke  thofe 
ment  ta 
uKury  to 
We  per- 
Dmmcrce 
lort  from 
re  there- 
to which 
i  have  re- 
Dme  con- 

occafion 
F  America 
I  poverty,, 
n  afylum, 

country- 
ce  and  af- 
byall  the 
lereft  and 
;op  here — 
I,  that  the 
I  long  cha- 
would   on 
proper 


(   177  ) 

proper  application,  afford  us  relief  j  they 
Tcprefented  their  grievances  in  an  afFedtionate 
addrefs  to  their  brethren  in  Britaip,  and  in- 
treated  their  aid  and  interpofition  in  behalf 
of  thefe  Colonies. 

The  more  fully  to  evince  their  refpeft  for 
their  Sovereign,  the  unhappy  people  of  Bof- 
ton  were  requefted  by  the  Congrefs  to  fub- 
mit  with  patience  to  their  fate;  and  all 
America  united  in  a  refolution  to  abftain 
from  every  fpecies  of  violence— During  this 
period,  that  devoted  town  fuffered  unfpeak- 
ably.  Its  inhabitants  were  infulted  and  their 
property  violated— Still  relying  on  the  cle- 
mency and  juftice  of  his  Majefty  and  the 
nation,  they  permitted  a  few  regiments  to 
take  pofTeflion  of  their  town ;  to  furround  i% 
with  fortifications,  and  to  cut  off  all  inter- 
courfe  between  them  and  their  friends  in  the 

country. 

With  anxious  expea:ation  did  all  America 
wait  the  event  of  their  petition-  All  America 
laments  its  fate — Their  Prince  was. deaf  to 
their  complaints:  And  vain  were  all  attempts 
to  imprefs  him  with  a  fenfe  of  the  fuffer- 
ings  of  his  American  fubjeftsj  of  the  cruel- 
ty of  their  Tafk-Mafters,  and  of  the  many 
plagues  which  in^pendcd  over  his  dominions. 
Inftead  of  diredions  for  a  candid  enquiry  in- 
to our  grievances,  infult  was  added  to  op- 
preflion,  and  our  loi>g  iForbearance  rewarded 
with  the  imputation  of  cowardice.  Our 
trade  with  foreign   ftates   was   prohibited; 

Bb   2  and 


V 


^'1 


I' 


: 


'(  '78  ) 
ancl  an  aft  of  Parliament  paffed  to  prevent 
our  even  fifhing  on  our  own    coafts— Our 
peaceable  Affemblics  for  the  purpofe  of  con- 
fulting  the    common  fafety,  were  t^eclared 
fcditious  J  and  our  averting  the  very  rights 
which  placed   the  Crown  of   Great-Bntam 
•  on  the  heads  of  the  three  fuccefllve  prmces 
of  the  houfe  of  Hanover,  ftiled  rebeUion— 
Orders  were  given  to  reinforce  the  troops  m 
America-The  wild  and   barbarous  favages 
of  the  wilderncfs  have  been  folicited  by  gifts 
to  take  up  the  hatchet  againft  us  j  and^infti- 
gated   to   deluge  our  fcttlements  with  the 
blood  of  innocent  and  defcncelefs  women 
^nd  children-Thc  whole  country  was  more- 
over alarmed  with  the  expefted  horrors  of 
domeftic  infurreaions-Refinements  in  pa- 
rental cruelty,  at  which  the  genius  of  Bri- 
tain muft  bluOi !     Refinements  which   ad- 
mit npt  of  being  even  recited  without  hor- 
ror, or  pradtifed  without  infamy!  We  fhould 
be  happy  were  thefe  dark  machinations  the 
mere  fuggeftions  of  fufpicion-We  are  forry 
to  declare;  that  we  are  pofleffed  of  the  moft 
authentic  and  indubitable   evidence  of  their 

reality,  , 

The  miniftry,  bent  on  pulling  down  the 

pillars  of  the  conftitution,  endeavoured  to 

erea  the  ftandard  of  defpotifm  in   America ; 

and  if  Ibcccfsful,  Britain  and  Ireland  may 

fhudder  at  the  confequences  ! 

Three  of  the  moft  experienced  Generals 

arc  fent  to  wage  war  with  their  fellow  fub- 

jefts ; 


(  V9  ) 

jedtsj  and  America  is  amazed  to  i^t;!  t^e 
pame  of  Howe  in  the  catalogue  of  her  ene- 
mies'—She loved  his  brother. 

Defpairing  of  driving  the  Colonies  to  re- 
fiftance  by  any  other  me^ns  than  adtual  hof- 
tility,  a  detachment  of  the  army  at  Boftqii 
marched  into  the  country  in  all  the  array  pf 
war  i  and  unprovoked,  fire4  upon,  and  killed 
feveral  af  the  inhabitants — The  neighbour- 
ing farmers  fud^enly  affembled,  and  repelled 
the  attack — From  this,  all  corniii\inication 
between  th?  town  and  country  was  inter- 
cepted— The  citizens  petitiojied  the  General 
for  permiflion  to  Jeave  the  town,  and  he 
promifed  on  furrenderipg  their  arms,  to  per- 
mit them  to  depart  with  their  other  effeds — 
They  accordingly  furrendered  their  arm^is, 
and  the  General  violated  his  faith — Under 
various  pretences,  palTports  were  delayed 
and  denied  ^  and  many  thoufands  of  the  in- 
habitants are  at  thi§  day  confined  in  the 
town  in  the  utn^oil  \vr^tchednefs  and  want 
— The  larne,  the  blind,  and  the  fick,  have 
indeed  been  turned  out  into  the  neighbour- 
ing fields  J  and  fome,  eluding  the  vigilance 
of  the  fentinels,  have  efcaped  from  the  town 
by  fwimming  to  the  adja<^ei>t  Ihorcs. 

The  vv^ar  haying  ^hus  began  on  the  part 
of  General  Qage's  troops,  the  country  arm- 
ed and  embodied.  The  re-inforcements 
from  Ireland  foon  after  arrived  ;  a  vigorous 
jittack  was  then  made  upon  the  Provincials — 
in  their  ^larch  the  troops  furrounded  t|ie 

town 


■1 


f>. 


iSi  <l 


V 


■  (  jiSo  ) 
^^wn  of  Chdfteftown,  conflfting  of  about  400 
houfes  then  recently  abanflooea  to  efcape  the 
fury  of  a  relentlefs  Wdi«r^     Having  plun- 
dered Ae  houfes,  .hev  fttfi"=«°.*^«^7"' 
a^d  reduced  it   to  arf.es-To  this  wanton 
wafte  of  property,  unknown  to  eiv.h^^cd  na- 
tions    they  were  prompted,    the  be""  to 
crcll  thL  apprLch  under  -«  oMhe 
fmoak      A  Ihocking  mreture  of  cowardice 
hd -cruelty,    which'then  firft  tarmfhed    he 
luftre  of  tie  Brltilh  arms,    when  »•"« d  at  a 
b.o  herVbrcoft  --But  Mef^d  be  God   th^^ 

"^^^"^^o  behold  thoufands 

of  ouT  wuntrymen   inprifoned    and  tnen 

-Women,  and  childred    involved  >"  P;"-"^; 

-cuous  and  unmeritted   "'f^y-^^'treatTes 

■'i^na  all  faith  at  an  end,  and  facred  treaties 

fufned  into  tricks  of  ftate-When  we  per- 

ci-ve    o"    fr^n-J^  and  kinfmen  maffacred. 

our  habitations    plundered,    our  houfes  ^„ 

flames,  and  their  once  h^PPy '"^^'"*^"*t,me 
oX  by  thehandof  charity-Whocan blame 

::[o%ndea*ouring  to  reftr^n  the  Progrds 
of  defolation  ?  Who  can  cenfure  our  repel- 
line  the  attacks  of  fuch  a  barbarous  band  ? 
I^L  in  fuch  circumftances.  would  no  obey 
X^r^at.  the  univerfal,  the  divine^ Uw  of 
felf-prefervation  ?  ^^^^^j^ 


(  >8'  ) 

•  Though  vilified  as  wanting  fpirit,  we  ar©- 
dctcrirdned  to  bchav«  like  men — Though 
infuhcd  and  abu^;  wc  wifli  for  rcconcilia- 
tign — Though  defamed  as  fc^itious,  we  are 
ready  to  obey  the  laws — An4  though  charged 
with  rebellion,  will  chearfuUy  bleed  in  de- 
fence of  our  fovcreign'  in  a  righteous  caufe 
— What  more  can  we  fay  ? — What  more 
can  we  offer  ? 

But  we  forbear  to  trouble  you  with  a  te- 
dious detail  of  the  various  and  fruitlcfs  offers 
and  applications  we  have  repeatedly  made, 
not  for  penfions,  for  wealth,  or  for  honors, 
but  for  the  humble  boon  of  being  permitted 
to  poffefs  the  fruits  of  honeft  induftry,  and 
to  enjoy  that  degree  of  liberty,  to  which  God 
and  the  conftitution  have  given  us  an  un- 
doubted right. 

Bleffed  with  an  indiffoluble  union,  with  a 
vftsiety  of  internal  refources,  and  with  a  firm 
rcJiance  on  the  juftice  of  the  fupreme  difpofer 
of  all  human  events,  wc  have  no  doubt  of 
rifrwg  fuperior  to  all  the  machinations  of 
cwil  and  abandoned  minifters.  We  already 
aiiticipace  the  golded  period,  when  liberty, 
with  all  thegentle  arts  of  peace  and  humanity, 
ftiall  eftabiilh  licr  mild  dominion  in  this 
weftern  world,  and  eredi  eternal  monuments 
to  the  memory  of  thofe  virtuous  patriots  aiui 
martyrs,  who  fhall  have  fought  and  bled  and. 
fuffered  in  her  caufe. 

Accept  our  moll  graceful  acknowledgments 
for  the  firiendly  diipofition  you  have  ahviiya 
fliewji  towards  ust— We  know  that  you  are 

not 


11  < 


:^L^riii,alt:f,:.ia:.L-  i-JXf 


^    l82    ) 

not  with6ut   your  grievances— Wc  fymja- 
thize   with  you   in  your    diftrcls.   and  are 
plcafcd  to  find  that  the  dcfign  of  fubjugatirtg 
us,  haspcrfuadfd  adminiftrgtion  to  difpcnfcto 
Ireland,  fomc  vagrant  rays  of  minifterial  fun- 
ihine— Even  the  tender  mercies  of  govern- 
ment have  long  been  cruel  towards  you— In 
the   rich  paftures  of  Ireland,  many  hungry 
parricides  have  fed,   and  grown   ftrong   to 
labour  in  its  deftruftion.     Wc  hope  the  pa- 
tient abiding  of  the  meek  may  not  always  be 
forgotten  5  and  God  grant  that  the  iniquitous 
fchemcs   of  exterpating    Liberty   from   the 
Britiih  empire  may  be  fo on  defeated.     But 
wc  fhould  be  wanting  to  ourfclves,  we  (hould 
be   perfidious   to  pofterity ;    we   Ihould  be 
unworthy    that    anceftry  from  which   we 
derive  out  defcent,  (hould  wc   fubmit  with 
fblded  arms  to  military  butchery  and  depreda- 
tions to  eratify  the  lordly  ambition,  or  fa- 
tLte  the  Ivaricc  of  a  Britifh  Miniftry.     In 
defence  of  our  perfons  and  properties,  under 
aaual  violation,  we  have  taken  up  arms-- 
When  that  violence  {hall  be  removed,  and 
hoftilities  ceafe  on  the  part  of  the  aggreffors, 
they  (hall  ceafc  on  our  part  alfo— tor  the 
atctievemcnt  of  this  happy  event,  we  confide 
in  the  good  offices  of  our  fellow  fubjeas  be- 
yond the  Atlantic.  Of  their  friendly  dilpofi-  > 
Ln  we  do  not  yet  defpond ;  aware  as  they 
muft   be,  that  they  have   nothing  more  to 
cxpea  from  the  fame  common  enemy,  than 
the  humble  favour  of  being  laft  devoured. 
Adjourned  uU  to-morrow  at  8  ^^^^^^ 


(     i83     ) 
SATURDAY,    July  29,   1775. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  CongTefs  rcfumed  the  confideration 
of  the  report  from  the  Coimnittce  of  the 
whole,  and  came  to  the  following  refolution: 

Refolved,  That  the  pay  of  the  Commif- 
fary  General  of  Muftcrs  be  40  dollars  per 
month. 

Deputy  Commiflary  General  of  Stores  an4 
Provifions  60  dollars  per  ditto. 

Deputy  Adjutant-General  50  dollars  per 
ditto. 

Deputy  Muftcr-Mafler-General  40  dollars 
per  ditto. 

Brigade-Major  3  3  dollars  per  ditto. 

Commiflary  of  Artillery  30  dollars  per 
ditto. 

Judge  Advocate  20  dollars  per  ditto. 

Colonel  50  dollars  per  ditto. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  40  dollars  per  d'tto. 

Major  33  dollars  and  one-third  per  ditto. 

Captain  20  dollars  per  ditto. 

Lieutenant  13  dollars  and  one-third  per 
ditto. 

Enlign  10  dollars  per  ditto. 

Serjeant  8  dollars  per  ditto. 

Corporal,  Drummer,  and  Fifer,  each  7 
dollars  and  one-third  per  ditto. 

Private  6  dollars  and  two-thirds  per  ditto. 

Adjutant  18  dollars  and  one-third  per 
ditto. 

Quarter  Mailer  18  dollars  and  one-third 
per  ditto. 

C  c  Chaplain 


'  \.-' 


I'        ..» 


i^ 


(  184  ) 

Chaplain  20  dollars  per  ditto. 

That  the  pay  of  the  lighc- infantry^  be  tntf 
fame  as  that*  in  the  regiment,  from  a  captain 
to  a  pri\:^te,  both  iiiclufive. 

Tnat  in  the  artillery  the  pay  be  of  a  captaia 
26  dollars  and  two  thirds  per  month.  ^ 

Captain  lieutenant  20  dollars  per  ditto. 

Lieutenant  jfirft  and  fecond  1 8  dollars  and 
one  third  per  ditto. 

Lieutenant  fireworker  1 3  dollars  and  on© 
third  per  ditto. 

Serjeant  8  dollars  and  one  third  per  ditto. 

Corporal  7  dollars  and  a  half  per  ditto. 

Bombardier  7  dollars  per  ditto. 

Matrofs  6  dollars  and  five  fixths  of  a  dollar 

per  ditto. 

That  the  appointment  of  provoft-marfhal, 
waggdn-mafler,  and  mafler  carpenter,  be  left 
to  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  army,  who 
is  to  ^.:i  their  pay,  having  regard  to  the  pay 
the  '  "-Cw-eive  in  the  m.inifterial  army,  and  the 
proportion  that  the  pay  of  the  officers  in  faid 
army  bears  to  the  pay  of  our  officers. 

William  Tudor,  Efq  j  was  ekaed  judgt 
advocate  to  the  army. 

Refolved,  That  Michael  liillegas  and 
George  Clemer,  Efquires,  be  joint  f  jafurers 
of  tlie  united  Colonies  :  That  the  treafurers 
relide  in  Philadelphia,  and  that  they  fhall 
give  bond  with  furety  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  their  ofKce,  in  the  fum  of  one 
hundred  thoufand  dollars  to  John  Hancock, 
Henry  Middletcn,  John  Dickinfon,    John 

Alfop* 


<X' 


^be  ffitf 
captain 

L  captairv 

litto. 
liars  and 

and  on© 

r  ditto, 
itto. 

fa  dollar 

-marfhal, 
r,  be  left 
my,  who 
o  the  pay 
r,  and  the 
irs  in  faid 

• 

:ed  judge 

igas  and 
fjafurers 
treafurers 
they  Ihall 
:hful  per- 
im  of  one 
Hancock, 
on,  John 
Alfop* 


(  '««5    ) 

Alfop,  Thomas  Lynch,  Richard  Henry  t.ee, 
and  James  Wilfon,  Efquires,  and  the  Airvivor 
of  them  in  truft  for  the  united  Colonies, 

That  the  provincial  aflemblies  or  conven- 
tions do  each  chufe  a  treafurer  for  their  re- 
fpeftive  Colonies,  and  take  fufficient  fecurity 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  truft. 

That  each  Colony  provide  ways  and  means 
to  link  its  proportion  of  the  bills  ordered  to 
be  emitted  by  this  Congrefs,  in  fuch  manner 
as  may  be  moft  effedtual  and  beft  adapted  to 
the  condition,  circumftances  and  equal  mode 
of  levying  taxes  in  fuch  Colony. 

That  the  proportion  or  quota  of  fuch  Co- 
lony be  determined  according  to  the  number 
of  inhabitants  of  all  ages,  iiicluding  negroejs 
and  mulattoes  in  each  Colony;  but  as  this 
cannot  at  prefent  be  aflertamed,  that  the 
quotas  of  the  feveral  Colonies  be  fettled  for 
the  prefent  as  follows,  to  undergo  a  revifion 
and  corredtion,  when  the  lift  of  each  Colony 
is  obtained, 

New-Hampfliire,  -    - 
Maffachufects  Ray,    -  - 
Rhode  Ifland,    -    -     - 
Conne6ticut,     -     -    ^ 
New- York,     -     -    -     . 
New-Jcrfey,      -     -      - 
PennfylvanU,     -     -     - 
Delaware,    -     -      - 
Maryland,    -    -      - 
,   Virginia,      -      -     - 
North-Carolina,    -    - 
3outh-Carolina,    -    ^ 


hW  11 


124069  i-half. 

in 

434244 

^th 

71959  I -half. 

'*^^H 

248139 

■1 

248139      . 

161290  I -half. 

h  ■ 

372208  i-half. 

jLH 

37219  i-half. 

''^1 

3 10 174  I-half, 

**  '^l^^^l 

496278 

|B 

248139 

'i'l 

248139 

-'-'.^K^^^^l 

•- —  3)000000 

1 

(    i86    ) 

That  each  Colony  pay  its  refpe6tive  quota 
in  four  equal  annual  payments,  the  firft  pay- 
ment to  be  made  on  or  before  the  lail  day  of 
November,  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1779  ;  the  fccbnd  or  before  the  laft  day 
of  November  1780 ;  the  third,  on  or  before 
the  laft  day  of  November,  1781,  and    the 
fourth  or  laft,   on  or  before   the  laft  day  of 
November,   1782  ;  and  that  for  this  end  the 
feveral  provincial  alTemblies  or  conventions 
provide  for  laying  and  levying  taxes  m  their 
lefpeaive   Provinces   or   Colonies,   towards 
finking  the  continental  bills :  That  the  faid 
bills  be  received  by  the  colledors  in  pay- 
ment of  fuch  taxes,  and  be  by  the  colledory 
paid  into   the  hands  of  the  provincial  trea- 
furers,  vv  ith  all  fuch  other  monies  as  they 
may  receive  in  lieu  of  the  continental  bills, 
which  other  monies  the  faid  provincial  trea- 
furers  ftiall  endeavour  to  get  exchanged  for 
continental  bills,  and  where  that  cannot  be 
done,  fhall  fend  to  the  continental  treafurers 
the  deficiency  in   filver  or  gold,  with  the 
bills  making  up  the  quota  to  be  funk  in  that 
year,  taking  care  to  cut  by  a  circular  punch 
of  an  inch  diameter  an  hole  in  each  bill,  and 
and  to  crofs   the  fame,    thereby  to  render 
them  unpaffable,  though  the  fum  or  value  is 
to  remain  fairly  legible.     And  the  conti-^ 
nental  treafurers,   as  faft  as  they  receive  the 
faid  quotas,   ftiall   with  the  afliftance  of  ^ 
Committee  of  five  perfons,  tp  be  appointed 
by  the  Congrefs,  if  fitting,  pr  by  the  affem- 

'  ^  -  ■  bly 


W 


e  quota 
rft  pay- 
1:  day  of 
r  of  our 
laft  day 
r  before 
md   the 
\  day  of 
end  the 
ventions 
in  their 
towards 
the  faid 
in  pay- 
olledors- 
:ial  trea-^ 
;  as  they 
ital  bills, 
cial  trea- 
inged  for 
lannot  be 
treafurers 
with  the 
ik  in  that 
iar  punch 
bill,  and 
to  render 
ir  value  is 
lie  conti- 
sceive  the 
ance  of  a 
appointed 
:he  affem^ 
bly 


{     187     ) 

bly  or  convention  of  the  province  of  Pennfyl- 
yania,  examine  and  count  the  continental 
bills,  and  in  the  prefence  of  the  faid  Com- 
mittee burn  and  deftroy  them.  And  the 
filver  and  gold  fent  them  to  make  up  the  de- 
ficiencies of  quotas,  they  fhall  retain  in  their 
hands  until  demanded  in  redemption  of  con- 
tinental bills  that  may  be  brought  to  them 
for  that  purpofe,  which  bills  fo  redeemed, 
they  Ihall  alfo  burn  and  deftroy  in  prefence 
of  the  faid  Committee.  And  the  faid  trea- 
furers, whenever  they  have  filver  or  gold  in 
their  hands  for  the  redemption  of  continen- 
tal bills,  (hall  advertife  the  fame,  fignifying 
that  he  is  ready  to  give  filver  or  gold  for  fuch 
bills  to  all  perfons  requiring  it  in  exchange. 

The  Provincial  treafurers  and  collediors 
are  to  have  fuch  allowances  for  their  refpec- 
tive  fervices  as  fhall  be  direded  by  the  feveral 
AlTemblies  or  Conventions,  to  be  paid  by 
their  refpedive  Province  or  Colony. 

That  the  continental  treafurers  be  allowed 
for  their  fervice  this  year  five  hundred  dollars 
each. 

Refolved,  That  the  Paymafter  General, 
Commiii'ary  General,  Quarter-Mafter  Ge- 
neral, and  every  of  their  deputies,  fhall 
take  an  oath  truly  and  faithfully  to  difcharge 
the  duties  of  their  refpedtive  ftations* 

Ordered,  That  the  Continental  Treafurers 
do  nay  to  Col.  William  Thompfon,  or  his 
order,  5000  dollars,  on  account,  being  by 
advance  for  the  fervice  of  a  battalion  of  Kifi« 
^|en  under  his  command. 

Refolved, 


I  I 


(    x88    ) 

Refolved,  That  this  Congrefs  will,  W 
(bon  as  the  public  bufinefs  permits,  adjourn 
to  the  Fifth  of  September  next. 

Refolved,  That  the  Congrefs  will  on 
Monday  next  confider  of  the  ftate  of  tradf , 
after  the  Tenth  of  next  September. 

Mr.  M'Kean,  from  the  Committee  re- 
ported the  form  of  a  bond,  to  be  given  by 
the  Joint  Continental  Treafurers. 

Ordered,  That  the  faid  Committee  do  io- 
fpea  into  the  fufficiency  of  the  fureties. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  at  8  o'clock. 

MONDAY,  July  31,  1775, 
Met  according  to  adjournment, 
,    The  Congrefs  took  into  confideration  the 
report  of  the  Committee,    on  the  refolve  of 
the  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  the  fame  being 
debated  by  paragraphs,    was  agreed    to  as 

follows : 

The  feveral  affemblies  of  New  Jerfey, 
Pennfylvania,  and  Virginia,  having  referred 
to  the  Congrefs  a  refolution  of  the  Houfe  of 
Commons  of  Great  Britain,  which  refolution 
is  in  thefe  words  : 

Luna,    20  die  Feb,  1775. 

I'he  Houfe  in  a  Committee  on  the  American 
papers.     Motion  madcy  and  quefiion  propofed, 

That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that 
when  the  General  Council  andAfembly,  or  Ge^ 
neral  Court  of  any  of  his  Majejifs  Provinces  or 
Colonies  in  America,  Jhall  propofe  to  make  pro- 
vifion  according  to  the  condition,    circumjlance, 

or 


will,    as 
adjourn 

will  on 
of  tradf , 

littec  rc- 
given  by 

ee  do  in- 

ties. 

ock. 

75- 
nt, 

ation  the 
refolve  of 
ime  being 
ed   to  as 

V  Jerfey, 
5  referred 
Houfe  of 
refolution 

L  1775. 
•  American 
propofed, 
tittee,  that 
\ly,  or  Ge^ 
'ovinces  or 
make  pro- 
'Cumjlancet 
or 


(  189  ) 

erfituatim  of  fuch  Province  or  Colony,  for  con- 
tributing their  proportion  to  the  common  defence 
{fuck  proportion  to  be  raifed  tender  the  authority 
of  the  General  Court,  or  General  Ajfembly  of 
fuch  Province  or  Colony,  and  difpofable  by  par- 
liament) and  Jhall  engage  to  make  provifon  alfo, 
firthefupport  of  f  he  civil  government,  and  the. 
adminif  ration  ofjujiice  in  fuch  Province  or  Co- 
lony, it  will  be  proper  if  fuch  propofal Jhall  be  ap- 
proved by  his  Majejly  and  the  twoHoufes  of  Par- 
liament, and  for fo  long  as  Jucb  provijion  Jhall  be 
inade  accordingly,  to  forbear  in  refpeSl  of  fuch 
Province  or  Colony  to  lay  any  duty,  tax,  or  af- 
fejjinm,  except  only  fuch  duties  as  it  may  be  ex- 
pedient to  Continue  to  levy  or  impofe,  for  the  re- 
gulation of  commerce  -,  the  net  produce  of  the 
duties  lajt  mentioned,  to  be  carried  to  the  account 
of  fuch  Province  or  Oolony  refpeSltvely, 

The  Congrefs  took  the  faid  refolution 
into  confideration,  and  are  thereupon  of 
opinion. 

That  the  Colonies  of  America  are  enti- 
tled to  the  fok  and  exclufive  privilege  of 
giving  and  granting  their  own  money :  That 
this  involves  a  right  of  deliberating  whether 
they  will  make  any  gift,  for  what  purpofes 
it  (hall  be  made,  and  what  fhall  be  its  a- 
mount  i  and  that  it  is  a  high  breach  of  this 
privilege  for  any  body  of  men,  extraneous  to 
their  conftitutions,  to  prefcribe  the  purpofes 
for  which  money  fliall  be  levied  on  them, 
to  take  to  themfelves  the  authority  of  judg- 
ing of  their  conditions,  circumftances,  and 

fituations 


(  I90  )    .-.  ,,^^,,^;v 

iltuatlons,  and  of  determinin|  M'arfibWi 
of  the  contribution  to  be  levied.   ^ 

That  as  the  colonies  poffefs  a  right  pf  ap- 
propriating their  gifts,  foare  they  entiaed  at 
&1  times  to  enquire  into  their  application, 
to  fee  that  they  be  not  wafted  among  the 
venal  and  corrupt  for  the  purpofe  of  under- 
mining the  civil  rights  of  the   gjvers,  nor 
vet  be  diverted  to  the  fupport  of  ftandmg    . 
armies,  inconfiftent  with  their  freedoni  and 
fubverfive  of  their  quiet.     To  propofe  there- 
fore, as  this  refolution  does,  that  the  monies 
given  by  the  colonies  ftiall  be  fubjed  td  the 
difpofai  of  parliament  alone,  is  to  propole 
that  they  ftiaii  relinquifh  this  right  of  enqui- 
ry, and  put  it  in  the  power  of  others  to  ren- 
der Aeir  ^fts  ruinous,  in  proportion  as  they 

are  liberal.  •      i^  i  j 

That  this  privilege  of  giving  or  wit  n-^hold- 
ing  our  monies,  is  an  important  barrier 
a'rainftthe  undue  exertion  of  .prerogative^ 
which,  if  left  altogether  without  con^oul, 
may  be  exercifed  to  our  great  oppreffion ; 
and  all  hiftory  (hews  how  efficacious  is  its 
interceflion  for  redrefs  of  grievances  and  re- 
eftabliftiment  of  rights,  and  how  improvi- 
dent it  wouAd  be  to  part  with  fo  powerfiil  ^ 

mediator.  r  • 

We  are  of  opinion  that  the  propofition 
contained  in  this  refolution  is  unreafonablc 
and  infidious ;  unreafonable,  becaufe,  if  we 
declare  we  accede  to  it,  we  declare  without 
refervation,  we  will  purchafe  the  favour  of 

parliament 


It  of  ap- 
ititledat 
Ucation, 
ong   the 
f  under- 
rers,  nor 
ftanding 
dom  and 
•fe  there- 
le  monies 
:d  to  the 
I  propofe 
ofenqui- 
s  to  ren- 
in as  they 

itn-hold- 
it  barrier 
erogativCj 
controul, 
ppreffion ; 
ouis  is  it8 
es  and  re- 
r  improvi** 
jowerfiil  it 

propofition 
ireafonablc 
Lufe,  if  we 
re  without 
J  favour  of 
parliament 


(  i9i   ) 

parlkriieht,  not  knowing  at  thfc  fame  time  a| 
what  price  they  will  pleafe  to  eftimate  their 
favor }  it  is  irtlidibus,  becaiifci  individual 
tolonies,  having  bid  and  bidden  again,  tiH 
they  find  the  avidity  of  the  feller  to  great  for 
all  their  powers  to  fatisfy,  arb  then  to  re- 
turn into  oppofition,  divided  from  their  fif* 
ter  colonies  whom  the  minifter  will  have 
previoully  detached  by  a  grant  of  eafier  terms 
t)r  by  an  artful  procraftination  of  a  definitive 
anfwef. 

That  the  fufpenfion  of  the  exercife  o^ 
"their  pretended  power  of  taxation  being  ex- 
■prcfsly  made  ebmmenfurate  with  the  conti- 
•nuariee  of  our  gifts,  thefe  muft  be  perpetual 
to  make  that  fo;  Whereas  no  e^periencd 
^has  (hewn  that  a  gift  of  perpetual  revcnud 
fecures  a  perpetual  return  of  duty  or  of  kind 
^ifpofition.  On  the  contrary,  the  parlia- 
tncnt  itfelf^  v/ifely  attentive  to  this  dbfer^ 
Nation,  are  in  the  eftabliflied  pradtice  of 
grantmg  their  fupplies  from  year  to  year  only; 

Belitou«  and  determined  as  we  are  to  eon- 

'iideri  in  the  moft  difpaffionate  view  every 

deeming   advance   towards  a  reconciliatron 

made   by   the   Britifh  parliament,    let   our 

^brethren  of  Britain  rieffled:  -ivhat  would  haye 

been  the  facrifice  to  men  of  free  fpirits  hgd 

^^ven  fair  terms  been  proffered,  as  thefe  in{5^ 

dious  propofals  were  with  circumftances  of 

infult  and  defiance.     A  propofition  to  give 

our  money,  accompanied  with  large   fleets 

and  artriies,  feems  addreffed  to  our  fears  ra- 

-ii^i- D  d  ther 


H 


(  »92  ) 
thcr  than   to  our  freedom.     With  what  pa- 
tience would  Britons  have  received  articles  ot 
treaty  from  any  power  on  earth,  when  borne 
on  the  point  of  a  bayonet  by  military  ple- 
nipotentiaries ?  rr       •       -r 
We  think  the  attempt  unneceflary  to  raile 
'upon  us  by  force  or  by  threats  our  proporti- 
onal contributions  to  the  common  detence, 
when  all  know,  and  themfelves  acknowledge 
we  have  fully  contributed,  whenever  called 
upon  to  do  fo  in  the  charaaer  of  freemen. 

We  ace  of  opinion,  it  is  not  juft  that  the 
colonics  fliculd  be  required  to  oblige  them- 
felves to  other  contributions,  while  Great- 
.  Britain  pofiblTes  a  monopoly  of  their  trade. 
'Thi&  of  itfelf  lays  them  under  heavy  contri- 
bution.    To  demand  therefore,    additional 
aids  in  the- form  of  a  tax,  is  to  deniand  the 
'double  of  their  equal  proportion,  if  we  are 
to" contribute  equally  with  the  other  parts  ot 
'"^the  empire,  let  us  equally  with  them  enjoy 
free  commerce  with  the  whole  world.     But 
while  the  reilridtions  on  our  trade  fhut  to  us 
the  refources  of  wealth,  is  it  juil  weftiould 
bear  ail  other  burthens  equally  with  thofe  to 
whom  every  refourfe  is  open  ? 

We  conceive  that  the  Britifli  parliament 
^tas  no  right  to  intermeddle  with  our  provi- 
fions  for  the  fupport  of  civil  governmCJi^, 
or  adminiftration  of  juflice.  The  provifions 
we  have  made,  are  fuch  as  pleafe  ourfelves, 
and  are  agreeable  to  our  own  circumftances  : 
They  anfwer  the  fubftantial  purpofes  of  go- 
'  vernment 


r\ 


what  pa- 
irticks  of 
len  borne 
.tary  pie- 

-  ' '  ^ 

ry  to  raife 
proporti- 
1  defence, 
knowledge 
5ver  called 
reemen. 
I  that  the 
lige  them- 
ile  Great- 
heir  trade. 
ivy  contri- 
additional 
emand  the 
if  we  are 
ler  parts  of 
them  enjoy 
orld.     But 
I  fhut  to  us 
I  we  fhould 
Lth  thofe  to 

parliament 
^  our  proyi- 
rovernme»^» 
le  proviiions 
'e  ourfelves, 
:umftances : 
pofes  of  go- 
vernment 


i  m  ) 

vernment  and  of  juftice,  and  other  purpofcs 
than  thefe  fhould  not  he  anfwered.     Wc  do 
not  mean  that  our  people  fhall  be  burthencd 
with  oppreflivc    taxes,  to  provide  fmecures 
for  the  idle  or  the  wicked,  under  colour  of 
providing  for  a  civil  lift.     While  parliament 
purfue  their  plan  of  civil  government  within 
their  own  jurifdifition,  we  alfo  hope  to  pur- 
fue ours  without  molertation. 
'     Wc   are   of  opinion   the   propofition   is 
altogether  unfatisfadtory,  becaufc  it  imports 
only  a  fufpehfion  of  the  mode,  not  a  renun- 
ciation  of  the  pretended  right  to  tax  us : 
becaufe  too  it  does  not  propofe  to  repeal  the 
feveral   ads   of  parliament  paffed   for  the 
purpofe  of  reftraining  the  trade  and  altering 
the  form  of  government  in  one  of  our  Colo- 
nies ;  extending  the  boundaries  and  change- 
ing  the  government  of  Quebec;  enlarging 
the  jurifdidtion  of  the  courts  of  admiralty 
and  vice-admiralty;     taking    from  us  tht 
right  of  trial  by  a  jury  of  the  vicinage,  in 
cafes  afFeding  both  life  and  property ;  tranf- 
porting  us  into  other  countries  to  be  tried 
for  criminal  offences ;  exempting  by  mock- 
trial  the  murderers  of  colonifts  from  punifh- 
ment;  and  quartering  foldiers  on  us  in  times 
of  profound  peace.     Nor  do  they  renounce 
the  power  of  fufpending  our  own  legiflaturcs, 
and  of  legiflatirtg  for  us  themfelvcs  in  all 
cafes  whatfoever.     On  the  contrary,  to  fhcw 
they    mean    no  difcontinuance   of  injury, 
they  pafs  ads  at  the  very  tinie  of  holding 
■  out 


(  194  ) 
out  this  propofrtion,  for  reftr^ming  the  c^- 
mercc  and  filhery  of  the  provinces  of  New. 
England  and  for.  interdiaing  the  trade  of 
otl£r  Colonies  with  all  foreign  nations,  and 
with    cj^ch    other.      This  proves   unequi- 
vocally   they  mean  not   to  relinquilh    the 
isxcrcife  of  indifcriminate  legiflation  over  us. 
Upon  the  whole,  this  propofition  feems 
to  have  hecp  held  up  to  the  world,  to  deceive 
it  into  a  belief  that  there  was  nothing  in 
difpute  between  us  but  the  n^ode  of  levying 
ja/es;  and  that  the  parliament   have  now 
been  fo  good  as  to  give  up  this,  the  Colonie? 
are    unreafonable  if  not  perfcftly  fatisfied : 
Whereas  in  truth,  our  adverfaries  ftiU  claim 
a  right  of  demading  ad  libitum,  and  of  taxing 
usthemfelves  to  the  full  amount  of  their  de- 
mand, if  we  do  not  comply  with  it.     This 
leaves  us  without  any  thing  we  can  call  pro- 
perty.    But,  what  is  of  more  importance, 
ind  what  in  this  propofal  they  keep  out  ot 
iieht,  as  if  no  fuch  point  was  now  in  conteit 
between  us,  they  claim  a  right  to  alter  ou^ 
charters  and  cftablifli  laws,    and  leave    us 
without  any  fecurity  for  our  Uves  or  liberties, 
the  propofition   feems   alfo   to  have  been 
calculated  more  pa^tip^larly  to  lull  into  fatal 
fecurity  our  well  aflfefted  fellow  fubjefts  on 
the  other  fide  the  water,  tUl  time  fliould  be 
given  for  the  operation  of  thofe  arms,  wmch 
^  Britifli  minifter  pronounced  would  mftan- 
'  taneouOy  reduce   the    "  cowardly"  fons^ot 
America    to    unreferye4    fribmiffion.     but 
**^***"        when 


the  com»t 
of  New* 
trade  of 
ions,  and 
uncqui- 
^uiih    the 
1  over  u&. 
on   feems 
to  deceive 
othing  in 
of  levying 
bave  now 
:  Colonies 
fatisfied : 
ftiU  claim 
i  of  taxing 
f  their  de- 
it.     This 
n  call  pro- 
nportancc, 
eep  out  of 
f  in  conteft 

0  alter  ou^ 

1  leave    us 
or  liberties. 

have  been 
11  into  fatal 
fubjefts  on 
e  {hould  be 
rnis,  which 
)uld  inftan- 
ly"  fons  of 
ffion.  But 
when 


(  i9r  ) 

when  the  world  reflects,  how  inadequate  tQ 
juftice  are  thefe  vaunted  terms ;  when  it  at- 
tends to  the  rapid  and  bold  fucceflion  of  in* 
juries,  which,    during  a  courfe   of  eleven 
yearS|  have  been  aimed  at  thefe  Colonies  >, 
when  it  reviews  the  pacific  and    refpedful 
cxpoftulations,   which,    during  that  v^rholc 
time,  were   the  fole  arms  we   oppoied  to 
them  ;  when  it  obferves  that  our  complaints 
were  cither  not  heard  at  all,  or  were  anfwered 
with  new  and  accumulated  injuries;  when 
it  rccollefts  that  the  minifler  himfelf,  on  an 
early   occafion   declared,    "  that   he  would 
never  treat  with  America  till  he  had  brought 
her  to  his  feet,"  and  that  an  avowed  partifan 
of  miniftry  has  more  lately  denounced  againft 
us  the  dreadful  fentence  **  deknda  eft  Car- 
thago"  that  this  was  done  in  prefence  of  a 
Britifh  fenate,    and   being   unreproved    by 
them,  muft  be  taken  to  be  their  own  fenti- 
ment,  (efpecially  as  the  purpofe  has  already 
in  part  been  carried  into  execution,  by  their 
treatment  of  Bofton  and  burning  of  Charlef- 
town)  when  it  confidcrs  the  great  armaments 
with  which  they  have   invaded  us,  and  the 
circumftances  of  cruelty  with  which  thefe 
have  commenced  and  profecuted  hoftilities  j 
when  thefe  things,  we  fay,  are  laid  together 
and  attentively  confidered,  can  the  world  be 
deceived  into  an  opinion  that  we  are  unrea- 
fonable  ?  or  can  it  hefitate  to  believe  with  us, 
that  nothing  but  our  own  exertions  may  de- 
feat the  minifterial  fentence  of  death  or  ab- 
jedt  fi^bmifTion.  On 


(  196  ) 

On  motion  made;  Rcfclvcd,  That  Mr. 
Langdon,  Mr.  J.  Adams,  Mr.  Hopkins, 
Mr  Dcane,  Mr.  Clinton,  Mr.  Crane,  Doaor 
FranlcUn,  Mr.  Rodney,  Mr.  Johnfon  Mr. 
Henry,  Mr.  H'cwcs,  Mr.  Gadfdcn,  and  Mr. 
Hall  be  a  Cominittec  in  the  recefs  of  Con- 
erefsl  to  make  enquiry  in  all  the  Colonies 
after^irgin  lead  and  leaden  ore,  and  the 
beft  method  of  colkaing,  fmelting  and  re- 

"llefolved,  that  the  above  mentioned  gen- 
tlemen be  a  Committee  in  the  recefs  of  the 
Conercfs,  to  enquire  into  the  cheapeit  and 
eafieft  methods  of  making  fait  in  thele  Co- 

Aereeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  the 
Conercfs  took  under  confideration  the  ftate 
of  trade  after  the  tenth  of  September,  and 
after  fome  debate,  the  fame  was  poftponed 
to  a  future  day. 

On  motion,  Refolved,  That  when  the 
Congrefs  adjourns  for  recefs,  it  be  adjourned 
to  meet  at  Philadelphia. 

Two  petitions,  one  from  fundry  mer- 
chants in  New- York,  and  the  other  from 
fnndry  merchants  in  Philadelphia,  refpedting 
the  fale  of  teas  imported  before  the  lateaffo- 
ciation,  were  laid  before  the  Congrefs, 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  8  o'clock. 

# 

TUFSDAY, 


hat  Mr. 

i,  Do<l\or 
fon,  Mr. 
and  Mr. 
;  of  Con- 
Colonies 
and  the 
T  and  re- 

)ned  gen- 
efs  of  the 
;apeft  and 
thele  Co- 

;  day,  the 

the  ftate 

nber,  and 

poftponed 

when   the 
adjourned 

dry  mer- 
ther  from 
refpcdting 
e  lateafTo- 
igrefs, 

]  o'clock. 
QP  SDAY, 


(  197  ) 
TUESDAY,  Auguft   i,  1775 


.-.  I, 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Refolved,  That  the  fum  of  five  hundwd 
thoufand  dollars  be  immediately  forwarded 
from  the  continental  trcafury  to  the  Pay- 
mafter  General,  to  be  applied  to  the  ufe  of 
the  army  in  Maffachufetts-Bay,  in  fuch  man- 
ner as  General  Wailiington,  or  the  comman- 
der in  chief  for  the  time  being,  by  his  war- 
rants, fhall  limit  and  appoint)  and  if  the 
ahove  fum  (hall  be  expended  before  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Congrefs,  then,  that  Gene- 
ral Walhington,  or,  the  commander  in  chief, 
for  the  time  bei^g,  be  empowered  to  draw 
upon  the  contineutal  treafijry  for  the  fum  of 
two  hundred  thoufand  dollars,  in  favour  of 
t\]e^  Paymafter  General  to  be  applied  for  the 
ufe  and  in  the  manner  above  mentioned. 
{,  .Ordered,  That  the  Delegates  for  Pennfyl- 
yania  be  a  Committee  to  receive  and  count 
the  above  fum  of  500,000  dollars,  and  for- 
ward the  fame  under  the  care  of  the  Dele- 
agates  of  Maffachufetts-Bay,  provided  fo  much 
is  now  ready  in  the  treafury.  If  that  is  not 
the  cafe,  then  to  receive,  count  and  for- 
ward by  the  faid  Delegates  what  is  ready  and 
the  remainder  by  the  hrft  opportunity  in  the 
fafeft  and  heft  manner.  *, .. . 

Refolved,  That  a  fum  not  exceeding 
175,000  dollars  be  paid  to  the  provincial 
Convention  of  New- York,  to  be  applied  to- 
wards the  dilcharge  of  the  monies  advanced 

and 


J 


a 


t  i0  )  , 

ana  the  tkbtb  cantr»fted  for  the  paWic  fcN 
vice,  by  the  faicl  provincial  Convention  and 
the  Committee  of  Albany,  in  putfuancc  of 
.the  directions  6/  this  C«ilg/efs ;  and  that 
^e  faid  provinci^  Convention  account  to 
this  Congrefs  at  their  rif^xt  meeting  for  th^ 
application  of  the  faid  money.  . 

RefoJved,  That  the  trtfafurcrs  be,  and  tftey 
are  hereby  ordered  to  pay  to  the  Delegates 
<yf  the  colony  ofConnedUcMt  viz.  ^Ij^l^ 
Dyer,  Roger  Sherman,  i^rA  Silas  I>cane, 
.Efquites,thefum  of  50,<^<^^ii^«|r^^^ 
^em  paid  u^to  ^c  Govcrn'or  and  Company 
,<>f.tbe^aid  ^ld!iy,  in  pattv^f  the  fums  ^Z 
Mbem  dilbitffed  m  the  continental  fervice  . 
idie  faid  Governor  and  Company  to  acceuiit 

iRirfolvd,  That  the  fumtsf  100,060  dol- 
lars Wimmediateiy  forwarded  from  thexon- 
tinetital  treafitry  to  the  Paymafter  General, 

no  be  applied  to  the  ufe  of  t^^^^^X  ^^  j^/^ 
N^-York  4epartmc«t,^in  fvch  mannf  as 
General  Sehv^yler  by  his;v(rarrant  ^?lVi^t 
and  appoint ;  and  that  if  the  abovefumjhdl 
:be  expended  before  the  next  m«Jtmg  of  th«J 
Congrefs,  then,  ^t  Generiil  Sc^uylen  or 
rth?fomma«4erin^Wef.  for  t^e  ti^me  b|in'g 
4«  that,  department,  be  enipowered  to_  dtaw 

upon  the  continental  tre^*"''y/f,^^  ™' 

fum  not  exceeding   200,000  dollars,  to  be 

iapplied  for  the  ufe,  and  in  the  manner  abote 

nientimied.        ^  R^folved, 


iblic  fcN 
ition  and 
uance  of 
and  that 
:count  tC3i 
g  for  thd 

arid  tliey 
Delegates 
ElipMet 
ts  Dcancrf 
^  to  be  by 
CoTttpany 

fums  by 
1  fcrvice  i 
0  accduAt 

3,060  dcil- 
n  the  eon- 
r  General^ 
my  in  tii<J 
manner  as 
{hall  limit 
e  fum  (hall 
ting  of  th€J 
ehiiyl^ri  or 
time  bdri'g 

ed'tb  dtaw 
3r  a  ftitther 
ilars,  to  be 
lannerabot© 

Refdved, 


^^  Itefolved,  That  the  fum  of  16,600  doU 
m  be  paid  to  the  Delegates  of  the  colony 
of  Pertnfylvania,  in  full,  for  the  like  fum 
by  thbm  baf  rowed  by  order  of  the  Con^i^fs, 
on  the  3d  of  June  laft,  for  the  iife  of  the 
Gontirtent. 

,  Refoived,  That  the  fum  of  10,000  doj- 
lars  U  phced  in  the  haiids  of  the  Dekgates 
of  Fennfyrvaaia,  or  any  three  of  themf  for 
contingent  fervices,  and  that  out  of  the  fame 
iie  paid  thd  ejfpeuces  incunted  for  raifii^g  and 
^f ming  the  ri#e  companies,  and  for  expref- 
les  attd  other  fmall  charges,  of  Which  the 
-t^ongr^  have  not  been  able  to  procure  ex- 
aa  aecdiints  i  and  that  the  faid  Committee 
do  lay  before  the  Congrefs,  at  their  next 
meetm^g,  an  account  of  their  proceediftas  in 
that  matter.  * 

Whereas  at  a  former  Congrefs  it  was  re- 
foived, that  if  certain  adti?  of  parliament,  in 
the  continental  alToeilation  enumerated  and 
complained  of,  fhouM  not  be  repealed  on  or 
before  the  loth  day  of  feptember,   177  c,  the 
inhabitants  of  tJiefe  united  colonies  would 
not,  diresaiy  or  indiredly,  export  any  mer- 
chandize or  commodity  whatfoever  to  Gtent 
Britain,  Ireland  or  the  Weft-Inclies  j  and  as 
fome  doubts  have  arifen  with  refoed.  to  the 
true  fpirit  and  conflrudtion  of  faid  refolve  • 
To  the  end  that  fuch  doub's  may   be  remo- 
ved, 

•    R^e^ojyed,    That   under   the  prohibition, 
in  the  fuid  Aflociation  contained,  to  export 

E«  •  to. 


^^.».V:.      .^., 


(     aoo    ) 

tationfrom,  the  iflands  of  Jerley,  ^J^      ^^ 
ropean  ifland  and  ^^"^f^""^^^       ,^^  denomi- 

!:JX' it^uS  the  Southern  line  of  Geor- 

^to"-a  r  lUay.  the  5th  of  fep- 
tembernext. 

Proceedings  of  the  ^^V    )  »>„,    to  this 
their  Meeting  on  the  .oth  of  May.  to  tms 

*'""'       JOHN  HANCOCK,  Prefident. 

'     Charles  Thomson,  Secretary. 


i\ 


'  Great 
inteods 
impor- 
iiernfey, 
ery  Eu- 
the  Bri- 
ienomi- 
::ongref8 
eft-India 
ver  ftate, 
vhomfo- 
r  iflands, 
Lm  on  the 
jnt  with- 
of  Geor- 

X  of  fep- 


AL  of  the 
ESS,  from 
ay,  to  this 

Prefident. 


Speedily  will  be  Puhlijhed, 

(Sold   by  J.  A.  MOW,  oppofite  Buhmnctok-housk,  P,ccAD,..r.) 

A    M  A  P  of  the  Middle  Britifli  Colonies 
m    NORTH-AMERICA. 

Philadelphia,  in  1755;  and  fince  correded  and 
improved  as  alfo  extended,  with  the  Addition  of 
New-England.  &c.  and  bordering  Parts  of  C^W^, 
trom  adual  Surveys  now  lying  at  the  Board  of  Trade. 


By    T.    P  O  W  N  A  L  L, 


MP. 


Late   Governor,    &c.    &c.    of   his    M  a  t  f  <!  t  v',     P.^.  •  r 

MASSACHUSETS-BAY    a,,.    SOV^H-lHolZ^' ^, 
L-ieutenant-Governor  of  NEW- JERSEY. 

WITH 

^  Jxw^SV/T"'''''''  Description  of  fuch  Parts 
of  NORTH-AMERICA  as  are  contained  in  the 

E^traSf from  the  Preface.  «  THE  Weftern  Divifion  of  this  Map  was 
pubhfhed  at  the  commencement  of  the  late  war  in  America.  It  was 
found  by  the  officers  and  fervants  of  the  crown  to  have  that  degree  of 
prec.fion  that  .t  was  u fed  by  them  both  in  England  and  in  America, 
and  ferved  every  praa.ca!  purpofe  during  the  war.  Thofe  who  have 
ferved  and  travelled  in  America,  have  had  few  occafions  of  correain? 
It ;  on  the  contrary,  its  exadtnefs  as  far  as  a  general  Map  means  tl 
go,  as  far  as  a  Map  on  this  fmall  fcale  could  go,  has  generally  been 
confirmed  by  experience  on  the  fpot.  In  any  tranfaflions  fince  the 
war,  where  local  precifion  has  been  neceflUry,  this  Map  has  been 
referred  to,  not  fimplv  m  private,  but  public  tranfaaions,  fuch  as 
the  gieat  Indian  purchafe  and  ceffion.  The  boundaries  by  which  the 
propofitions  for  the  piKchafe  of  lands  on  the  Ohio  were  made  to  the 
Boards  of  Trade  and  Treafury,  were  marked  on  and  fettled  by  this 
Map.  When  the  fervants  of  the  Crown  propofed  in  the  Houfe  of 
Commons,  the  claufe  for  the  limits  of  the  government  of  Quebec 
and  when  the  line  of  thole  limits  was  there  oppofed,  botlT" fides 
with  this  Map  in  their  hands,  argued  from  it.  * 

I  do  not  know  that  any  other  General  Ma'p  of  America  has  beea 
pubhfhcd  fince  this.     I  here  have  been  fome  Maps  of  particular  Pro- 
vinces 


!U 


(21 

v'.nces  publiflied  fincc.  That  of  Scuth-Carolina,  by  Mr.  James 
Cook  has  Ucry  geographical  merit,  and  an  urtcommon  degree  of 
Soeraph  cal  precLn.  That  of  North-Carolina  by  Mr.  CptLKT, 
feemf  alfo  to  have  great  merit ;  no  parts  of  this  fall  w.th.n  this  Map 
of  the  Middle  Colonics,  ,   »,       exr-    •   •„ 

have  carefully  compared  this  by  Mr.  Henry's  Mapof  V.rg.ma, 
eniraved  and  publifhed  by  Jefferv's.  In  thefe  parts  which  come 
■  ^"thin  the  boiSidsof  *his  our  Map,  I  do  not  6nly  not  find  any  .m- 
^rov  ments  or  additions  of  particulars  there;  b"!*  ^f^^;;**;;; /« 
Lee  a  fcale.  it  is  ftill  lefs  particular  than  this.  1  race  any  Journal 
bf  Travels  that  very  accurate  one  of  Mr.  Burnaby's,  for  mftance, 
onihe  tw^  Maps,  and  I  will  put  the  iffue  of  their  mer.t  on  the  corre- 
ZZeL  of  the  Map  with  the  faa.  In  this  the  Geographer  w.ll  find 
the  com f(fs  and  diftaSce  of  the  roads ;  every  tavern  «nd  f"^,;  "".J 
•very  gap  where  the  ridges  are  paffed  ;  he  wdl,  look  for  thefe  in 
vSn  the  laree  Map,  attd  will  not  even  find  Wmthefter. 

SrNew-Enlland^there  has  been  no  new  Map  publ.fted,  and  as 
vet  noneTo  accurate  as  this,  fo  far  as  it  went  in  the  firft  ed.t.on. 
^hat  was  there  wanting  is  now  added,  and  for  the  hrft  t.me  pub- 
S,ed  from  adlual  furv.yslying  in  the  Board  of  Trade,  -h.ch  the  Ead 
of  Dartmouth  permitted  me  to  have  copied  for  his  purpofe.    The  new 
narTs  which  I  have  added,  are  plotted  down  m  the  form  in  which  I 
Jhink  every  Map  which  can  offer  to  give  the  face  of  the  country. 
■foouldbeliddoL.  giving  -  exaa  Map  of  the  natural  face  of  the 
country,  and  not  in  default  of  that  filling  up  what  ftiould  be  a  Map 
W°th  writing.     Inftead  of  writing,  I  have  put  figures,  and  the  writ- 
^e  is  in  thf  margin  and  other  blank  places,  where  the  face  of  the 
country  i    not  pretended  to  be  given.     The.furvevs  which  tend  to 
«?ve  t7e  Map  it?  accuracy  in  thefl  parts,  were  chie^y  made  by  Cap- 
fain  Holland,  or  by  his  Deputies,  under  his  direftion. 

From  the  ^c^ouht  above,  I  Oiould  hope  that  the  Pub  ic  will  think, 
that  this  publication  at  the  commencement  of  the  prefert  very  inte- 
reftine  period  of  events,  to  which  the  fate  of  this  country  verges  faft 
L  not  ill-timed,  but  that  it  may  be  (as  the  laft  was  found  to  be)  of 
lire  and  information.  ,     »*  j 

Many  tracks  which  the  reader  will  fee  marked  on  the  Map,  and 
•Which  were,  when  it  was  firft  publi(hed,  mere  Indian  paths  through 
•the  wildernefs,  are  now  in  the  courfe  of  a  very  few  years  become  great 

'Wagaon-roads. 

Et  qua  inodo  fuerat  feimta^  faSla  via,  _ 

Some  Indian  fettlements,  being  merely  a  col  lea  ion  of  wigwams, 
muft  now  be  riiarked  as  county  towns.  Many  other  particulars 
marked  in  the  MJip,  and  noticed  in  the  analyfis,  which  were  twenty 
■^ears  a<Jo  riiatter  of  praaical  information  and  ufeful  to  the  ferviCe, 
'ceafinp,"  perhaps,  «.it/ to  beof  ufe  in  that  way  ;  may  yet  be  amufing, 
as  matters  of  curious  antiquity,  become  fo  at  this  early  period.  It  will 
becurious  ina  very  fewycais,  as  the  face  of  the  country  changes 


,   ;    ^-A! 


by  Mr.  James 
immoii  degree  of 
jy  Mr.  CoLLKT, 
within  this  Map 

N^ap of  Virginia, 
)art3  which  come 
not  find  any  im- 
,  although  on  fo 
race  any  Journal 
y's,  for  inftance, 
erit  on  the  corre- 
ographer  will  find 
I  and  ferry  ;  arid 
look  for  thcfe  in 
ichcfter. 
publifhed,  and  as 

the  firft  edition, 
he  firft  time  pub- 
ie,  which  the  Earl 
urpofc.    The  new 
;  form  in  which  I 
c  of  the  country, 
natural  face  of  the 
it  fliould  be  a  Map 
res,  and  the  writ- 
re  the  face  of  the 
revs  which  tend  to 
efiy  made  by  Cap- 
sftion. 

Public  will  think, 
;  prefer  t  very  inte- 
lountry  verges  faft, 
ras  found  to  be)  of 

on  the  Map,  and 
3ian  paths  through 
years  become  great 

•jia. 

^ion  of  wigwams, 
y  other  particulars 
which  were  twenty 
feful  to  the  fervice, 
nay  yet  be  amufing, 
arly  period.  It  will 
le  country  changes, 
and 


(    3    ) 

and  is  totally  altered  to  view  in  this  Map,  apd  to  read  in  this  analyfts 
what  it  was  in  its  natural  ftate,  and  how  the  fcttlements  began  to 
expand,  and  had  extended  them.felves  in  twenty  years. 

This  Map,  foon  after  it  came  to  England,  was,  in  a  moft  auda. 
cious  manner,  pirated  by  the  lafc  Thomas  Jfii-fERv's,  under  a 
falfe  pretence  of  improvements.  He  was  fototaljy  ignorant  of  the 
principles  on  which  the  original  was  formed,  that  although  he  traced 
the  line  of  the  roads  and  rivei-s  in  the  ufuaj  way,  yet  it  can  fcarcc  be 
called  a  copy.  The  mountains  in  America,  which  give  the  real  fea- 
tures to  the  face  of  it,  run  in  ridges  of  a  fpecific  diteiSlion — do  in 
places  here  and  there  run  up  into  peaks — do  in  others  end  abruptly  in 
knobbs  and  bluff  points — do  interlock  and  have  gaps — all  which  par- 
ticulars are  in  the  original  Map,  with  a  carefyl  and  fcrupulous  atten-* 
tion  plotted  and  marked  down  j  as  alfo  where  thefe  ridiges  fprcad  into 
hilly  land.  The  geographer,  or  the  officer,  will  look  in  vain  for 
this  precifion  in  the  pirated  copy.  The  blundering  copyift  thought, 
that  the  filling  the  places,  where  mountains  were  faid  to  be,  with  the 
Engraver's  common  marks  fcratched  in  at  random,  was  fufficient. 
Jn  fome  parts,  where  the  writin^r  diredted  bis  tool,  be  has  followed 
the  ridges,  hwi  fans  fiavoir  \  and  even  there  he  knew  not  how  to  mark 
their  fpecific  range.  So  far  as  refpedls  the  face  of  the  country,  this 
thing  of  JeffeRy's  might  as  well  be  a  Map  of  the  face  of  the  moon. 
Further,  in  the  original  there  was  obferved  a  pundlilious  caution  not 
to  deceive ;  the  parts  which  are  drawn  from  report  and  computation, 
and  colledled  from  Journals,  are  in  the  original,  and  in  this  our  Map 
engraved  in  a  (lighter  manner,  and  very  differently,  from  thofe  parts 
which  are  laid  down  from  adlual  furveys :  neither  the  eye,  nor  the 
ideas,  nor  the  fcrupulous  fpirit  of  the  copyift,  went  to  the  marking 
this  ;  and  all  parts  ftarid  equal  in  authority  in  his  pirated  map. 

The  plate  of  this  blundering  copy  has,  in  the  co-irfe  of  trad?,  by 
purchafe,  falJen  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Saver,  of  FUet-Jlreet^  a  man 
of  reputation,  in  a  very  extenfive  line  of  bufinefs.  He  very  honour- 
ably told  me.  That  if  the  plate  flood  as  a  fingle  article  in  his  (hop,  he 
would  deftroy  it  dire^ly;  but  that  it  made  part  of  an  Atlas  already 

fiublifhed  by  him,  and  was  alfo  part  of  another  very  foon  to  be  pub- 
iflied  by  him,  which  had  coil  many  thoufand  pounds;  that  h^  did 
not  know  how  to  take  it  out  of  thefe  colle£lions.  1  can  only  fay,  it 
will  difgracc  any  colleflion  in  which  it  ftands,  and  that  I  am  forry 
it  is  to  difgrace  any,  coming  from  a  (hop  in  which  there  are  fo  many 
valuable  coUedlions  of  Maps  and  Charts. 

Albemarle-flreet,  Nov.  22,  1775." 

Neither  this  improved  Map,  nor  Analyfis,  arc  publifhed  with  any 
view  of  profit  to  the  Editor ;  if  any  fhould  accrue^  it  will  be  given 
to  Mr.  Evans's  daughter  and  her  children. 


(    4    ) 

An  Advertifement  of  an  AMERICAN  ATLAS  having  been 
inferted   in  the  public  Papers,  purporting  that  the   faid  Atlas  is 
compofed  from  Surveys  made  by  Order  of  Government,  by  Cap- 
tain Holland,  &c.    the   following   is  extradleJ    from   Captain 
Holland's  Anfwer  to  that  Advertilemcnt. 
»«  I  THINK  it  neceffary  the  Public  fbould  be  informed  that  I 
never   gave,    or  confented   to  the  giving,    of  any    Copies  of  the 
Surveys,  made  by  me  or  under  my  Diredlion,  as  Surveyor- General 
of  Lands  for   the  Northern   Di(tri<ft  of  North- America,    for  the 
Piirpofe  of  Publication  ;  nor  have  any  Copies  been   taken  for  fuch 
Purpofe,  from  the  faid   Survey,  after  being  lodged  at  the  Board  of 
Trade,  to  my  Knowledge,  except  what  have  been  taken  in  the  lat- 
ter End  of  laft  Year,  for  the  Ufe  of  Governor  Pownall,  by  Autho- 
rity  of  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth  ;  nor  have  I  at  any  Time  publiflied, 
or  given  my  Confent  to  the  publifliing  of  any  Plan,  Map,  or  Survey, 
*'ow  extant,  that  bears  my  Name. 

•   SAMUEL   HOLLAND." 


BOOKS  printed  for  J.  Almon,  in  Piccadilly, 


THE  Parliamentary  Regifter 5  or,  Hiftory 
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particular  Numbers  to  complect  their  Sets, 
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TheRemembrancfr;  or  Impartial  Repcfi- 
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The  late  Intcrelling  AJvicc;i  frum  Amerha, 
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ot"  the  bi  ft  Accounts  of  every  important  public 
Tr^nlaclion.  Many  Events  have  happened 
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Papers,  are  frequently  miflaid  after  the  Day  of 
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A  Narrative  of  the  Proceedings  and  De- 
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Impr»fiion  is  dilpofnd  of. 

The  nine  Volumes  of  this  Colleftion  of  the 
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The 


^S  having  been 
he  faid  Atlas  is 
nmer.t,  by  Cap- 
i   from   Captain 

informed  that  I 
Copies  of  the 
urveyor- General 
merica,  for  the 
1  taken  for  fuch 
at  the  Board  of 
taken  in  the  lat- 
lALL,  by  Autho- 
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Map,  or  Survey, 

HOLLAND." 


'^iccadilly, 

Prefcrvation  avkward 
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is,  To  icleit  from  all 

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It;  to  piin;  it  in  Octavo, 
y  Voliime,  to  giv>  a  co- 
rd Volume  cuntjins  the 
econd  Volume  is  now 
rs. 

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ent  of  Inland;  inclu- 
ft  of  the  Penfions  on 
n  accurate  State  of  the 
the  public  Accounts  of 
g  the  Fifth  Seflion  of 
;nt  held  at  Dublin,  on 
^ober,  1775.     It  was  in 

Difpute  with  Annrica 
i'ime,  introduced  into 
Ir<jland,  l'ubli(hed  in 
Shllliin',  eich. 
roceedingi  ot  the  Houfe 
77^  and  1774.  Two 
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en  and  Gentlemen,  who 
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of. 

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'774>  bound  ii.  14s. 

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(    5    ) 


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ligent Search}  and,  the  Editors  hrpe,  judici- 
ous Seleilion.  In  the  laft  Volume  will  be 
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former  Parliamentary  Hirtory  ends  whTcthis 
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Select  Trafts  on  American  Affair;;  from 
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This  Collection,  contains  the  following.— 
Letters  to  the  Miniftry  from  the  Governors, 
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birough,  from  the  lame.  Letters  from  a  Far- 
mer in  Pentsfylvanii  to  the  Inhjbi. ants  ot  the 
Britirti  Cul"n;es.  A  New  E'iay  ontheCon- 
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Colonies  in  America,  hy  the  t'eniifylvaiiia 
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pri'fent  Difputes  with  America.  A  Second 
Appeal,  by  the  I'am^'.  An  Litended  .Speech 
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Congrcfs.  Law  of  Liberty,  by  Dr.  Zubly. 
Votes  and  Journal  of  the  Annerican  Coiifrcfs 
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Ameiican  Congiefs  in  1775. 


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This  Crlleifion,  Cor.U'ns  the  following. 
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terofLih:'l,  Trial  of  Zenger.  Lord  Somen 
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Two  Sj-eecliesof  Lord  flardwicke,  when  Lord 
Ch-'ncclliir,  Principles  of  fome  late  Ciungei 
(in  1765).  Iliftoryofthe  Minority.  True 
Hiftory  ot  a  Short  Adminiftration.  Enquiry 
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Short  Confideratians  upon  f>iiie  late  Grant!!. 
Free  Appeal  to  the  People.  H  .ncft  Eleftor's 
Propnfal.  Lettci  to  the  Duke  <;f  Gra!tr>n. 
Spe  ch  ,of  Mr,  Grenyille  on  expelling  Mr. 
Wilk-s.  Relleftions  on  the  Cafe  of  Mr. 
V/ilkes,  Defcription  of  a  Parliament.  Con- 
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■«. 


<  6  ; 


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ai  their  agriculture,   populai-on,    nianufac^urcs, 

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The  Trade  and  Navigation  of  Creat  Britain 
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the  Reign  of  King  Henry  the  Eighth,  in  which 
the  Caufes  of  the  Reformation  arc  moft  parti- 
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added,  Six  Eilays  on  Queftions  of  great  Mo- 
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y  exhibited.  To  which  are 
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(    7 

The  New  Foundling  Ho''p!ttl  for  Wit. 
Containing  a  great  Number  of  curious  Pieces 
in  Profe  and  Vcrle,  whichare  in  noothcrCol- 
Itftion.  Many  of  thfm  written  by  Perfonsof 
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The  Fugitive  Mifcclhny,  being  a  Collec- 
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Proceedings  of  the  Governor  and  Council 
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J 

The  cnnftittition  of  Greit  Britain  istmpty 
dilcuflld,  its  rife  and  ptogrefs  from  the  r<- 
mnteft  times ;  and  the  power,  prero^^ativrt, 
council,  and  revenues  of  the  King,»rae)(pbincj. 

In  cdnfidcrlng  the  Britift  p.irliament,  pnx- 
ticiilar  care  has  been  taken  to  difplay  ti^e  lawj, 
cuftoms,  and  privileges  of  that  grand  coundl 
of  the  nation  J  enumerate  their  method*  ut 
proceeding;  and  fliew  the  manner  in  whi(h 
the  national  bufinefs  is  tranfafled. 

The  various  offices  that  compofe  the  King's 
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containing  accurate  lift?  of  the  complete  cfta- 
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Prefent  Statcof  the  Britifh  Intereft  in  India,    f.iur  Houfes  of  Parliament,  all  the  officers  of 
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1 77 J  >  af^anged  in  a  new  and  improved  Me- 
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True  Alarm,  as, 

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Aftairs  of  the  Eaft  Indies.  By  T.  Pownall, 
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Speedily  will  be  Publillied  (a  new  e.lition 
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jnftice.— A  copious  defcription  of  the  capitals 


of  England  and  ScotlaiTd,  their  Government,    cifions  made  by  the  Seleft  Committees,  it. 
coiirtsofjuftice,  principal  buildings,  trading    (This  ufeful  little  Book  may  be  had   bound 

with  the  Kalendar,  with  an  Almanack,  ct 


and  other  companies,  privileges  and  cum- 
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accurate  lifts  of  all    the   civil,   ecclefiaftica), 

and  military  officers  in  Great  Britain. 

Price  5s.  bound, 

The'Editor  returni;  his  thanks,  for  the  fa- 
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All  that  can  wi(h  propriety  be  obferved  by 
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entertaining  treatife  that  has  hitherto  ap- 
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■  reader  with  a  candid  and  impartial  account  of 
the  various  particulars  conftituting  ihe  pre- 
fent ftate  of  Great  Britain. 

He  has  endeavoured  to  give  a  fatisfaftory 
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tlieir  rivers,  air,  foil,  natural  produiiions,  ma- 
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without.) 

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!  I 


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«|,  bound.  .  .„., 

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of  f'Nfltng  by  Ihc  King*  Commiflion,  lound- 


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